What is recorded here

Kealduff Upper holds a fractured sandstone boulder where faint cup-and-ring marks still touch the smooth surface. The stone sits on a gentle NE-facing slope above the Behy river valley, exposing the maker and every later viewer to open sky and distant mountains. Someone cut small rings and deeper cups into hard rock, perhaps marking a boundary, a memory or a gift to the landscape. The marks remain thin enough to doubt and clear enough to see, waiting for a hand to steady above them.

In mountain heath (170m OD), amongst rock scatter, on a gentle NE-facing slope. Good views of Behy river valley to NE with Seefin and Droum Mountains in background. A smooth and fractured sandstone boulder (dims. 1.35m N-S; 1.05m E-W; H 0.15m at W) which is irregular in plan. It has an irregular-shaped decorated surface (dims. 0.75m N-S; 0.5m E-W) which is generally flat. The motifs consist of two similar sized, very faint cup-and-one-ring motifs (dims. 18cm) having a cupmark (diam. 6cm; D 3mm) and ring (Wth 1-1.5cm; D 1-2mm), located within the centre of the decorated surface. A large cup-and-two-ring motif (total dims. 24cm N-S; 33cm E-W) is adjacent to SE, having two sub-circular, almost squared rings. Two cupmarks (average diam. 3.5cm; D 4mm) are located to N and S margins of the decorated surface. A third, tiny cupmark (diam. 1.5cm; D 2-3mm) is located upon a lower step of the decorated surface, to E. There are possible traces of linear grooves across centre of stone. Rock art (KE071-176----) is c. 50m to SW. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 26 January 2018

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the rock art at Kealduff Upper may have held ritual or symbolic significance, possibly linked to landscape features or seasonal movements. No specific folklore is recorded, but its location suggests it was part of a broader ceremonial or territorial landscape.

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