What is recorded here

Kealduff Upper holds a fractured sandstone boulder where pickmarks still trace shallow lines across a SE-facing surface. The stone sits on a NE slope above the Behy River valley, enclosed by a horseshoe of mountains, exposing its marks to weather and memory. Someone may have struck those small dots in darkness or dawn, using the fracture as a guide while the valley watched empty below.

In mountain heath (156m OD), on the NE-side of a small hillock, on a NE-facing slope. Excellent view of Behy River valley to NE and overlooked by horseshoe of mountains enclosing SE->SW->N. A smooth and fractured sandstone boulder (dims. 1.95m NE-SW; 1.10m NW-SE; max. H 0.55m at NW) which is subrectangular in plan. The decorated surface (dims. 1.80m NE-SW; 0.90m NW-SE) is SE-facing and bears six decorative elements which are weathered, yet traceable. A linear arrangement (long-axis NW-SE) of pickmarks (L 60cm; Wth 4cm; pickmark diam. 4-5mm; D 2mm), on upper area of stone at NW. A deep natural deep fracture (long-axis N-S; L 60cm; Wth 10cm; D 6cm) disappears under sod at S; A gently curving line of pickmarks (L 76cm; Wth 2cm; D 2-3mm) continues from N end of this fracture and meanders slightly. A linear groove (L 40cm; Wth 1.5cm; D 3-10mm) extends from natural fracture and is parallel to the line of pickmarks for a short distance; These lines are c. 6-7cm apart. A small cluster of random pickmarks (dims. 16cm x 6cm) at S end of stone and two small clusters at N area. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 18 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 or seasonal movements. No specific folklore is recorded for the site.

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