Cist in Ballinaclogh Lower

A rectangular short cist containing cremated bones, was discovered during the removal of sand from a quarry (JRSAI, 1858, 106). Described by D. O'Byrne in the late nineteenth century as located '240 yards from the rath of Ballinnaclough, north-east. The cist rested about three feet under the surface in a yellow rabbit-sand, - in fact the place is an outskirt of an esker, principally occupied by cairns. I measured the flags that formed the cist; they are of that denomination commonly called greenstones, and appear to have been taken from a mountain quarry. It may be admissibly conjectured that they have been taken from Fany Mountain, a distance of nearly a quarter of a mile. …the bottome flag was 16 inches by 12, and about 2 inches in thickness. The four sides and end flags, which made a box-like form are 14 inches long. Two of these flags measure 7 inches in breadth; the third flag 9 inches, and the fourth 5 inches; each flag is 2 inches in thickness; thus the inside of the cist was 14 inches by 14. The top flag or covering flag, is 2 feet by 1and a half, and from 3 to 5 inches in thickness, nearly an even surface on one, but rough and quarrylike on the other' (JRSAI 1858-9 V, 106). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

A rectangular stone cist dating to the Early Christian period, associated with cremation burial practices. Its proximity to a rath suggests a possible link to early settlement or ritual activity in the area.