What is recorded here

Cathair Craobh Dearg, The City, is a cashel in County Kerry where a single standing stone still marks the centre. The stone is about 0.95m high, 1.25m long and 0.45m thick, angled NNW-SSE, and local tradition calls it a memorial. In the 1940s it was measured slightly larger and said to show traces of ogham writing, suggesting it recorded a name, event or claim now lost. The stone does not need a grand story; it is the kind of place where memory first became visible.

Near the centre of a cashel (KE068-022001-) named 'Cathair Craobh Dearg' and known locally as 'The City'. A stone (dims. 1.25m x 0.45m; H 0.95m) orientated NNW-SSE which was named 'Cromlech' on both the 1846 and 1894 OS 6-inch maps. According to de Valera and Ó Nuallaín (1982, 70), this stone is 'supposed to be a 'memorial' stone'. This is the same stone which was described in the 1940s as '3 feet 9 inches [1.12m] high, 4 feet 4 inches [1.13m] long and 1 foot 6 inches [0.45m] thick' and which was formerly higher and had traces of 'ogham writing' on it (Schools Manuscript for County Kerry). Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 30 May 2011

Probably dating to the Bronze Age, the standing stone may have had ritual or territorial significance, possibly linked to the nearby cashel. The name 'Cromlech,' though often applied to chambered tombs, suggests a possible association with megalithic tradition or local folklore.

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