What is recorded here

A large sandstone boulder covers a hollow inside the rath bank at Gortalassa, where loose stones still suggest old drystone walling. The landowner recalled his father claiming an adult could almost stand upright in the dark space, giving the passage a human scale rather than a mere animal hole. Faint engravings of a cross, sword, harp and shamrock mark one end of the stone, evidence that the place remained visible and meaningful long after its making.

In a rath (KE048-055----). A large sandstone boulder (L 3.3m; 0.8m x T 0.8m) covers a hollow, immediately inside the bank of the rath at WNW. There are numerous loose stones in the hollow, some of which appear to form drystone walling. The landowner recalls his father stating that it was almost possible for an adult to stand up in the hollow. According to the landowner, the cross, sword, harp and shamrock faintly engraved on the WSW end of the stone were done by a local man in the early years of the 20th century. In the 1840s, a 'large cavern' with a 'large stone about 12 feet [3.65m] in length lying flat over the entrance' was recorded in the W side of the rath (OSNB, Molahiffe, no. 1, 42). (Castleisland District Archaeological Survey) Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

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