Cursing stone in Killian

Situated in the basin of a bullaun stone (CL026-003003-) lying inside the perimeter of an ecclesiastical enclosure (CL026-003001-). The bullaun is named 'Doughnambraher Font' on the OS 6-inch maps (1840 and 1920). Seven 'fist-sized' egg-shaped water-rolled stones lie in the basin which is sometimes waterfilled and associated with the cure of warts. There were previously ten stones (MacMahon 1994, 17) although the number seems to vary up and down over time (Lenihan 1994, 44). Stacpoole (1904, 190) includes nine stones in his drawing. 'Rounds' performed here involved rubbing each stone against the afflicted part of the body and placing an offering of some sort under the bullaun. In February 1993 this practice continued (Lenihan 1994, 44). While stones of this type are generally classified as cursing stones there is no known evidence of their use for that purpose in this instance. Cursing stones are known from a variety of ecclesiastical sites and are present on the altar (CL041-062003-) at St. John's Well, Killone (CL041-062004-). Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 30 November 2016