What is recorded here

Bailín is a small field in County Kerry where a narrow upright sandstone holds four cupmarks beside a children’s burial ground. The largest mark sits near the centre, one smaller mark sends a groove toward the stone’s edge, and two more cluster above and below them. Lichen still covers parts of the design, and the bay lies open to the west, as if the marks were made to face water, memory and time.

In small field of improved pasture (42m OD), enclosed by a drystone wall and also containing children’s burial ground (KE106-116----); Excellent views of Ballinskelligs Bay to W. A smooth and fractured, narrow upright sandstone (dims. 1.02m ESE-WNW; H 0.91m; T 0.14m) which is rectangular in elevation. It has a subrectangular decorated surface (dims. 0.50m ESE-WNW; H 0.40m) which occupies the W sector of the NNE-facing elevation, close to ground level. The decorative elements are partially obscured by lichen. The motifs consist of four cupmarks, one of which has a radial groove. The largest cupmark (diam. 10cm; D 22mm) is located roughly in the centre of decorated surface. A second cupmark (dims. 8cm x 7cm; D 12mm) is located c. 1.5cm above the large cupmark; a radial groove (L 8cm, Wth 2.5cm; D 3mm) extends from cupmark to W edge of stone. A third cupmark (diam. 4.5cm; D 8mm) is located c. 4cm above the latter and is close to W edge of stone, where there is a natural fracture. A fourth cupmark (diam. 4cm; D 4mm) is located below the others, toward ground level. This upright stone appears to be mentioned by O’Sullivan and Sheehan (1996, 325) in the entry (No. 980) for the children’s burial ground (KE106-116----). The dimensions for the stone are similar but it does not mention any rock art. Initially identified as rock art by Aoibheann Lambe (2016). Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 26 January 2018

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the rock art may have had ritual or territorial significance, possibly linked to the nearby children’s burial ground. Local folklore sometimes associates such sites with ancient spirits or protective symbols.

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