What is recorded here

Rock art in Baile Uí Uaithnín is a small sandstone outcrop in mountain heath, County Kerry, Ireland, where two faint cup-and-ring marks still appear on an SSE-facing surface. The stone sits on a west-facing slope above Lough Adoon, with the Brandon Mountain range visible to the northwest. A person may have crouched there in rain or sunlight, cutting shallow rings into rock that could be read only when the angle and patience aligned.

In mountain heath (97m OD), on a W-facing slope, overlooking Lough Adoon to E. Good views of Brandon Mountain range to NW. A slightly rough and unfractured, earthfast sandstone (dims. 1.10m E-W; 0.55m N-S) which has an overhang that protrudes outwards from the hillslope; flakey surface to W side. The decorated surface (dims. 0.25m E-W; 0.15m N-S) is SSE-facing and bears two very faint, yet traceable cup-and-ring motifs which are conjoined. Cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 12cm; ring Wth 2.5-3cm; D 2-3mm; cup diam. 3.5cm; D 3mm) at W, is the best defined. The second cup-and-ring motif (overall dims. 13cm x 10cm; ring Wth 2cm; D 2-3mm) at E has a very faint cupmark. Initially identified by Micheal Ó Coileáin, Heritage Officer, Kerry County Council in his unpublished MA thesis (2006). Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 7 July 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, this rock art may have had ritual or territorial significance, possibly linked to landscape features such as Lough Adoon and Brandon Mountain. Interpretations of the motif remain speculative, but such art often reflects symbolic or mythological themes in prehistoric societies.

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