Ninehole Stone

Local information described the stone as a large recumbent stone with several circular depressions on its surface hence the name 'Ninehole Stone'. According to the OS of 1838-40 'The country people consider the water, which lies in these holes, to be a specific for various diseases' (OSNB 1838-40 vol. 2). Described in the nineteenth century by local antiquarian Mr. Thomas Stanley as 'The 'Nine-hole Stone' is apparently a boulder, and was never disturbed by man. It is a limestone but is not related directly ot any of the four or five kinds of limestone which belong to the country around it. It is a close-grained fossiliferous stone, and its southern edge is depressed about 10 inches lower than its northern. The earth is removed from its surface in a circle of six feet diameter, and on this naturally even face circular basins are cut. Four of the basins measure one foot each over the brim, two are of lesser dimensions, all are concave, and their depths are half their diameters. They were dressed smooth, or perhaps polished. The formation of a seventh was only commenced when the workman stayed his hand. Two additional which go to make up the 'nine' are natural depressions, and are barely discernible.' (Stanley 1868-9, 349). Described in 1974 as 'Having come to the level crossing one passes through it and enters the first gate on the right. Passing through the first field 2 tufts of trees are visible. Tuft on right contains the nine-hole stone. There is a wall of stones about 18 inches high around the stone' (OHAS file 1974). According to local information the water that gathered in the hollow depressions on the Ninehole stone were used as a cure for warts (OHAS file 1974). Situated on low rise of ground on flat undulating poorly drained grassland with nearby bullaun (OF017-037----) located approx. 100m to the S. Site consists of exposed bedrock (dims. 1.6m E-W by 1.35m N-S) located approx. 0.45m below external ground level, which on the surface has 10 basins or hollow depressions of varying depth and diameter. These hollow depressions vary in diameter from 0.33m in diameter to the smallest at 0.18m and from the deepest at 0.16m to the shallowest measuring 0.04m deep. The deeper basins are very well rounded and their side are smooth or polished from a grind process. Basin 1 : 0.27 diam x 0.05m deep Basin 2 : 0.33m diam. by 0.16m deep Basin 3 : 0.2m diam. by 0.05m deep Basin 4 : 0.33m diam. by 0.15m deep Basin 5 : 0.25m diam by 0.15m deep Basin 6 : 0.32m diam by 0.13m deep Basin 7 : 0.23m diam by 0.03m deep Basin 8 : 0.3m diam by 0.13m deep Basin 9 : 0.26m diam by 0.1m deep Basin 10 : 0.18m diam by 0.04m deep The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997).