Rock art in Coumreagh

Located in a narrow, rocky, upland valley on the SW side of Broaghnabinnia, at the head of the Bridia valley, this site commands impressive views to W along the Caragh river. The upper surface of a flat-topped boulder, 1.35m high, bears an extensive series of motifs. A radial groove from a cup-and-two rings, located at the SE end of the surface, extends as a long meandering line with looping off-shoots, one of which terminates in a cupmark. Other long and short grooves occur, one of which also terminates in a cupmark. There are five cup-and-rings, two of which are joined by a short groove, and two cup-and-two rings, each with a short groove extending from the outer ring; one features a second, long, curving groove. There is one cup-and-three rings, with a radial line extending from its innermost circle, and fifteen single cupmarks. See attached drawing of rock art taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 51 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. 284. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013 In mountain heath (172m OD), on a S-facing slope, to SW of Broaghnabinnia mountain; Excellent view along the Bridia valley to NW. This stone is isolated. A smooth and fractured rock (dims. 2.21m N-S, 3.42m E-W, H 0.63m at S), which has a flat, roughly square decorated surface (dims. 1.00m NE-SW, 1.30m NW-SE) which is uneven. The motifs are extremely weathered and consist of a cup-and-three-ring motif (overall diam. 23cm; cup diam. 5cm; D 5mm; ring Wth 2cm; D 2-5mm) on W edge of decorated surface. A cup-and-two-ring motif (overall dims. 22cm NE-SW; 18cm NW-SE; cup diam. 4cm; D 5mm; ring Wth 1-2cm; D 2-3mm) is located adjacent to NE; The cup and inner ring are very close together, whereas the outer ring is 3-6cm from inner ring and is egg-shaped in plan. A cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 12cm; cup diam. 5cm; D 4mm; ring Wth 1cm; D 2-3mm) at NNE edge of decorated surface. This has a radial groove (long-axis NW-SE) (dims. L 27cm; Wth 1cm; D 3-4mm) having a short perpendicular return (L 8cm) to NE. There are six cup-and-ring motifs in total, including a cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 9cm; cup diam. 3cm; D 4mm; ring Wth 1cm; D 1-2mm) is to SE. A very weathered cup-and-two-ring motif (overall diam. 27cm; cup diam. 17cm; D 4mm; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 2mm) is adjacent to S. A large oval enclosing area (dims. 1.14m NW-SE; 0.66m NE-SW; ring Wth 2cm; D 2mm) occupies E side of decorated surface and meanders to ESE and S. There are two incomplete cup-and-ring motifs: one off-centre to N and the other is at W side of the decorated surface. There are sixteen cupmarks in total including smaller cupmarks (diam. 3cm; D 4mm; diam. 2cm; D 1mm) at S side of decorated surface and a shallow cupmark (diam. 7cm; D 6mm) at SW. A weathered hollow (D 4.5cm) is located off-centre to W and at S of decorated surface. All appear as per O’Sullivan & Sheehan 1996, 87; Fig. 51, except with the omission of the two hollows. Small stream (long axis NW-SE) is located c. 8m to N and low stone wall (long axis N-S) located c. 21m to E. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 5 July 2017