Long Stone

A National Monument (No. 305). The stone had fallen towards the NE and before its re-erection in 1934, detailed drawings were done and its socket was excavated which revealed a small cist (KD024-009002-) at SW (Leask 1937, 250-52). On slightly elevated ground in good pasture. A tall tapering granite pillar (total H. 7m; lower L 0.96m N-S; Wth 0.65m) with the lower portion (H 1.2m) set into a socket, and weighing some nine tons (ibid.). (Killanin and Duignan 1967, 384; Harbison 1975, 126; Weir 1980, 167) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 11 June 2012

Likely dating to the Neolithic or early Bronze Age, the Long Stone at Punchestown Great was originally part of a burial or ritual landscape, as indicated by the associated small cist. Such standing stones may have marked territorial boundaries, commemorated individuals, or played a role in ceremonial practices.