What is recorded here

Standing stone in Earlspark is a small north-south stone on a Galway ridge, locally called the Lady Stone or Earl’s Chair because people believe Nora Novar is buried there. It rises beside old ringforts and a medieval deerpark, making the hill feel like a place where several ages still sit together.

Located on a prominent hillock on a NE-SW running ridge, this standing stone (H 0.8m; c 0.55m x 0.24m) is aligned N-S and is embedded in a stony base. It is known locally as the ‘Lady Stone’ or the ‘Earl’s Chair’ and it is believed that Nora Novar, who reputedly built the townland boundary wall, is buried here. The standing stone was identified by Dr F. Beglane (pers. comm. November 2014). Ringforts (GA105-081---- and GA105-080----) are visible c. 135m to the NNW and c. 455m to the NNE respectively, and all the monuments lie within the N half of a medieval deerpark (GA105-236----). (Beglane 2014, 315) Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 14 December 2020

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, this standing stone may have had ceremonial or territorial significance. Local names such as ‘Lady Stone’ or ‘Earl’s Chair’ suggest later folklore or associations with legendary figures.

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