Penitential station in Coollemoneen

In rough pasture, on the N-facing slope of a low rise. A circular cairn (6m N-S; 5m E-W; H 0.9m) of small stones. A cross-inscribed stone (SL034-070004-) is at the edge of the cairn. Nine rounded stones (SL034-07003-) similar to 'cursing stones' and a cross-inscribed slab (SL034-070004-) were noted here in 2003 (pers. comm. M. B. Timoney). There is a holy tree (SL034-070001-) at the S edge of the cairn. The cairn is known locally as a site of stations or 'pattern'. Wood-Martin (1892, 372) referred to stones which are 'so disposed as to simulate the form of a rude altar'. Two quarry holes lie immediately to N of the cairn. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008

A penitential station associated with early Christian pilgrimage practices, likely linked to a local saint or holy site; such stations were used by pilgrims undertaking the Stations of the Cross or other devotional walks. The presence of a cross-inscribed stone suggests a Christian tradition, possibly medieval in origin.