Geata Báin (Pillar Stones)

In rough pasture, at the edge of a conifer plantation, 335m E of an archaeological complex (LI048-034001-/043-). Annotated ‘Geata báin (Pillar Stones)' on the Cassini ed. OSi 6-inch map. Ó Ríordáin (1940, 88-9) described the site as follows; ‘About 1100 feet [335m OD] east of this group [LI048-034001/043-] there are marked on the map under the title Geata Báin (Pillar Stones) two pillar stones “like a gate leading into nothing”.’ On examination these were found to stand on the side of what was evidently an old road which is now a water-worn channel. channel. Along the lower side of this road ran a fence formed in large part of stones on end, giving it an appearance which might be described as megalithic, those known as the Geata Bain being merely more conspicuous examples. At first I felt inclined to think that this road was an ancient one but I learned-locally that it was in use about ninety years ago as a passage for drawing turf from the mountain-top and had evidently been constructed about that time. If it had been made much earlier it would then have been almost as water-worn as now and would not have been passable as a road. Similar paths lead to the mountain top from other sides of Slieve Reagh’. According to Westropp (1918, 119); 'On the mount up the hill was "Dodera's grave, not far from the peak," possibly at the two stones of Gatabaun'. Possible stone pair listed by Grogan (1989, Vol. 2, 269) as 'Cush 1'. No visible remains on Google Earth orthoimages. See attached Google Earth orthoimages. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 7 September 2021

Probably dating to the Neolithic or early Bronze Age, the Geata Báin pillar stones may have functioned as ritual or territorial markers. Their placement near an archaeological complex suggests a possible ceremonial or symbolic role in prehistoric landscape use.