Rock art in Unknown

Two stones inscribed with cups-and-circles were discovered by Dunraven and Graves 'near Ballynasare bridge' (Graves 1877, 285-6). Their precise location is not now known and may have been in any of the 4 townlands which converge at the bridge. The larger stone (KE044-127----) was roughly rectangular with a pronounced fissure across the middle. To one side of this were 2 cup-and-circles with radial lines. On the opposite side of the fissure was a large group of cup-marks enclosed by 1 or 2 circles many with curving radial lines. Graves described them as follows: 'Sometimes a short and slightly curved line, drawn from a hollow outside the circle to the central cup, passes through the open part of the circumference. More frequently, this line stops just as it reaches the break in the circle'. There were also a few isolated cup-marks, plain cup-and-circles, cup-marks with radial lines, and a possible 'key-pattern' motif. The smaller slab (KE044-127001-) had a few very similar motifs. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage (compiler) 'Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey.' Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne (1986), no. 175. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 29 May 2013 According to Graves (1877, 285-6), two stones inscribed with cup-and-ring motifs were discovered by Dunraven and Graves 'near Ballynasare bridge' (c. 80-100m OD). Their precise location is not now known and may have been in any of the four townlands which converge at the bridge: Ballynasare Beg/Ballynasare Lower/ Gortnagullanagh/Banoge South. The larger stone (KE044-127----) was roughly rectangular with a pronounced fissure across the middle. To the lower side of this were a pennannular cup-and-two ring motif and a pennanular cup-and-ring motif, both with radial lines. Most of the motifs are concentrated upon the upper side of the fissure and consist of three penannular cup-and-two-ring motifs and two regular cup-and-ring motifs. Some of the larger motifs are connected to cupmarks, penannular cup-and-ring motifs and regular cup-and-ring motifs via short, gently curving lines. There are a number of small cup-and-ring motifs and some single cupmarks. According to Graves (ibid) many have curving radial lines describing them as 'Sometimes a short and slightly curved line, drawn from a hollow outside the circle to the central cup, passes through the open part of the circumference. More frequently, this line stops just as it reaches the break in the circle'. The possible 'key-pattern' motif mentioned by Graves (ibid), may be a misinterpretation of a partial cup-and-ring motif with a curvilinear groove. According to Graves (ibid), the motifs are cut upon the surface of the natural rock and several are incomplete. The smaller slab (KE044-127001-) had a few very similar motifs. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 7 July 2017