Rock art in Áth An Charbaill

This stone, partly concealed by the field wall that over-lies it, is located c. 300m W of the Glounshavanowen river on a N facing slope overlooking the valley of the Owenalondrig river. A number of slab-lined graves have been recorded in the immediate vicinity to N and W (KE054-022---- and KE054-020----). The stone measures c. 3.7m x 1.65m x a maximum of .5m thick. A 1m wide strip of its surface, bearing at least 8 cup-marks, 4 cup-marks enclosed by a single complete or incomplete circle, and other less clear motifs (Graves 1877, 286-7), is concealed by the field wall. On the visible SE portion of the stone the markings comprise 30 plain cup-marks, a cup-and-radial line, a few short curved or straight lines and 8 cup-marks enclosed by from 1 to 3 concentric circles. Near the E corner of the stone are 2 slightly curved lines incorporating cup-marks. Close beside these is a cup-and-3 circles having 2 satellite cup-marks incorporated into the outer circle and one into the middle circle. A satellite cup-mark is also incorporated into the outer circle of the adjacent cup-and-3 circles. A 3rd cup-and-3 circles has a short radial line connecting the central cup-mark to the inner circle. Three cup-marks are contained within a single complete or incomplete circle, and in one instance a short radial line extends from the cup-mark through the gap in the circle. Two further cup-marks are surrounded by 1 complete circle and a 2nd incomplete circle. In one instance, one end of the outer circle terminates with a cup-mark, and a curving radial line extends from the inner circle to an external cup-mark; in the other instance a possible radial line extends from the central cup-mark across and beyond the 2 circles. On the NW portion of the stone part of a cup-and-3 circles is visible. Small scale clearance of the overlying wall revealed that the inner circle is complete, and Graves's drawing indicates that both the middle and outer circles are incomplete. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 166. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 4 August 2013 In improved pasture, on a very gentle NNE-facing slope. Enclosed within a small fenced area distinct from rest of field and accessed by a stile from trackway at ESE. Good views of Glounshavanowen River valley NW->N->E. A smooth and fractured sandstone (dims. 3.50m NW-SE; 1.60m NE-SW) having an irregular decorated surface (dims. 3.50m NW-SE; 1.60m NE-SW) with an obvious SE-facing aspect. The decorative elements are in excellent condition and are primarily concentrated upon the lower portion of the rock face. They include four substantial cup-and-three-ring motifs (overall diam. 48cm; ring Wth 3-3.5cm; D 3cm; cup diam. 8 cm; D 12mm), three of which are incomplete, having a gap in the outer ring. Two partial cup-and-two-ring motifs, having a gap in the outer ring, are situated adjacent to the larger motifs. Three cup-and-ring motifs, two of which have a gap in the ring, are also located in and around the larger motifs. Approximately thirty-three cupmarks (diam. 5cm; D 3-5mm) are located across the decorated surface, again concentrated amongst the larger motifs. One of the partial cup-and-two ring motifs, one cup-and-ring motif and a cupmark have short radial grooves. The field wall mentioned by Cuppage (1986, 57-58) and depicted upon OS historic mapping has been removed. See attached screenshots of 3D model of the rock art panel created by Ted Creedon. Screenshot can be accessed at the following website: http://www.corcadhuibhne3d.ie/aghacarrible.php Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 6 July 2017