Gallaun in Killeacle

This stone is marked on the 1842 and 1897 OS maps as 'Gallaun'. Rising to a height of 2.2m with a peak at the top, originally it lay on top of a mound but was removed to a fieldbank about 20.4m N in the 1940s (KE020-020004-). Standing stone within possible ring-barrow (KE020-020002-) described by Lynch (1892, 80-3) as follows; 'Mr. B. M'Elligott, a farmer in that neighbourhood, was employed with some workmen in widening the old road which passes near the gallaun [KE020-020001-]. In the course of his work, within about 3 feet [0.9m] of the rut of the old road, and about 2 feet [0.6m] below the surface, he found some small and thin flags of limestone, on removing which he found they covered a grave or tomb [KE020-020003-) lined at the sides with flags of the same kind as those covering it. The grave lay within about 80 yards of the conspicuous gallaun or pillar stone [KE020-020001-] which crowns the highest point of the limestone ridge that runs east and west for some miles through the plains of Clanmaurice. The townland around the gallaun is known as Ardconnel (the height of Conal), and I have no doubt that this Ardconnel is the very ancient Ardconail mentioned in the "Book of Rights" as the site of one of the Portaibh or Royal seats of the Kings of Cashel. This pillar stone, which is a very remarkable one, visible from every point of the compass for many miles, consists of a block of whinstone, 8 feet [2.4m] high over the present surface, about 3 feet [0.9m] broad, and 15 inches [0.4m] thick, must have been brought from the cliffs near Kerry Head, about 9 miles distant, where stones of that kind are found in large quantities. This may have been the monumental stone of the illustrious chief Conal, whose name is thus preserved by the townland designation, but of whose name and fame history and legend are silent. The gallaun is surrounded by a shallow trench and embankment forming a circle [KE020-020002-] about 40 yards [36m] in diameter. "Within about 13 perches [65m] west of the gallaun on the same ridge are the remains of what must have been a large and strong Cashel or Cahir, called Cahirfert [KE020-037----]'. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 13 June 2022