What is recorded here

Gallauns is a pair of standing stones set four metres apart in Kerry pasture, facing the long valley below Cahernageeha. One stone rises nearly two metres while the other reaches barely knee height, yet both keep their line across the grass like a threshold marked for passage. They may have guided herds, measured shadow or simply watched the river bend, but their distance and direction suggest they were placed to be seen from more than one road.

This pair of standing stones is located in level pasture on the lower SE slopes of Cahernageeha, just W of the Comnahorna river. The site commands an extensive view to SW along the river valley. Some 275m to NE is the four-stone row at Garrough (KE106-026001-), and about 100m to SW is a single standing stone (KE106-131----). The stones stand 4m apart in a NE-SW line. The taller stone, at SW, is of regular elevation and stands 1.75m high, measuring .95m x .7m at base; it inclines slightly to N. The second stone rises to a height of 1.45m, and measures .55m x .44m at base. Packing stones are visible around the bases of both stone (Ó Nualláin 1988,250). The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 118. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013

Likely dating to the Late Neolithic or Bronze Age, the Gallauns standing stones may have functioned as markers for territorial boundaries or ceremonial alignments. Their positioning suggests a possible role in ritual activity or as part of a wider landscape of prehistoric monuments.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.