Bullaun stone in Kilmaculla

On NE bank of early ecclesiastical enclosure (13884). Stone (0.4m x 0.3m) is irregular in shape with circular hollow (diam. 0.17m; D 0.07m) in centre; portion of second hollow on broken corner. One of two bullaun stones (13919) found here. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Likely dating to the early medieval period, bullaun stones like this one were often associated with Christian sites and may have been used for ritual purposes, such as anointing or as holy water basins. They are sometimes linked to local saints or folklore, though specific traditions for this stone are not recorded.