Bullaun stone in Ballintombay Upper

One of two boulders (see also WI029-011001-), each with two basins, previously described by Price (1959, 164, no. 11). On low-lying, overgrown and wooded ground, islanded by small streams flowing into a larger stream to the N and c. 10m N of a ringfort (WI029-002----). An earthfast granite boulder (dims. L 1.7m NE-SW; Wth 1.2m; H 0.5m) bears two oval basins; the smaller (max. diam. 0.28m; D 0.075m) just SW of the larger (max. diam. 0.4m; D 0.13m). The second bullaun stone (WI029-011001-) was not located. The above summary description is a revised version (updated in the light of recent research) of that published in the 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). See attached photograph provided courtesy of Gary Hughes Date of upload/revision: 12 May 2021

Likely dating to the early medieval period, bullaun stones were traditionally used for grinding holy relics or administering communion, though their exact function remains uncertain. Local folklore sometimes associates them with Christian saints or prehistoric ritual practices.