Rock art in Kealduff Upper

This large section of rock outcrop, 6.6m x 2.3m and 1.1m high at its E end, has a decorated surface which slopes upwards to SE. Most of the decoration is grouped at its E and W ends. At E, three conjoined cup-and-ring motifs are linked by a short groove to a cup-and-four rings with a long radial groove extending beyond the rings. Adjacent to this is a cup-and-two rings with a radial groove and an arc of a third ring. Two cup-and-five rings occur to W of this; only half of the outer ring is preserved in one, and this bifurcates at one end and features a cupmark at one of the terminals. A simple cupmark is located beside a meandering groove near the E edge of the rock. The W end features three cup-and-two rings and an interrupted spiral. The latter motif is formed by a cupmark and radial groove enclosed within four gapped rings, each ring terminating below its beginning. A faint cupmark and traces of a groove occur further to W. Towards the centre of the decorated surface are two poorly preserved cup-marks, one with traces of an enclosing ring. See attached drawing of rock art taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 63 (b) The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 331. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. In mountain heath (154m OD), on a N-facing slope; Extensive views of Behy river valley and surrounding mountains NE->E. A slightly rough and fractured sandstone boulder (dims. 2.2m N-S; 6.70m E-W; max. H 1.30m at E) having a primary W-facing aspect and a secondary N-facing aspect. The decorated surface (dims. 1.5m N-S, 6.0m E-W) is rectangular and bears weathered motifs concentrated at the E and W ends and with some in the central area. The largest concentration of motifs is at the E end where there is a cup-and-five-ring motif (overall diam. 36cm; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 3mm; cup diam. 4cm; D 5mm). A cup-and-five-ring motif (overall diam. 36cm; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 3-4mm; cup diam. 4cm; D 2mm) is 14cm to NE and is truncated by a fracture (long-axis NE-SW) to NE; the fifth ring is present W->N->ESE. A partial cup-and-three-ring motif (overall dims. 18cm x 15cm; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 4mm; cup diam. 4cm; D 5mm) is close to SE; A linear groove (L 6cm; long-axis N-S) extends to N from the cupmark and terminates at the second ring. The third ring is only visible SSW->SW->WSW. A cup-and-four-ring motif (overall diam. 25cm; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 3mm; cup diam. 3cm; D 5mm) is located in the centre of the decorative elements at the E end of the stone; A radial groove (L 42cm) extends from the cupmark at NW and narrows where it terminates. A short groove extends from the fourth ring at its NE side and is conjoined to a triple cup-and-ring motif (overall dims. 21cm NW-SE; 14cm NE-SW; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 4mm; cups diam. 5-6cm; D 5-6mm). A linear groove continues extends to NE of the conjoined triple arrangement. A very faint cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 10cm; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 3mm; cup diam. 4cm; D 4mm) is located to NW of the triple cup-and-ring motif; A cupmark (diam. 4.5cm; D 4mm) is adjacent to WSW. A cupmark (diam. 7cm; D 6mm) and a meandering groove are situated at extreme E edge of boulder. A small number of compact elements were noted across the centre of the decorative surface and consist of a cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 9cm; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 4mm; cup diam. 4.5cm; D 5mm). There are three possible small cupmarks (diam. 1.5-2cm; D 4mm) arranged in a line (L 15cm), further to N. A number of motifs were also noted upon the W end of the decorative surface and consist of a penannular cup-and-four-ring motif (overall diam. 27cm; ring Wth 1cm; D 3-4mm; cup diam. 4cm; D 5mm). A radial groove (L 19cm) extends from cup at N and continues beyond outer ring. There are three cup-and-two-ring motifs (overall diam. 16cm; ring Wth 1.5-2cm; D 4-5mm; cup diam. 3.5cm; D 5mm) located to SW, NE and E. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 5 July 2017