Rock art in Tuar An Chladáin

Two large tabular blocks of rock are located between two tributaries of the Owroe river on the lower S slopes of Coomacarrea mountain. They stand 2m apart, and together form a significant feature in the boggy landscape. The block at W is decorated on its upper surface, which slopes gently up to SW. The largest motif is a cup-and-two rings, with a maximum diameter of .48m. A similar but smaller motif occurs on its NW side, and on its NE side are two cupmarks and a dense area of pocking enclosed by a ring. Elsewhere are ten cupmarks, two cup-and-rings and three straight grooves, one of which terminates in a cupmark. At the SE base of this rock is a loose slab, 1.7m x .7m x .15m thick, the upper surface of which is decorated with a cup-and-two rings and three apparently natural depressions. The outlines of the latter are enhanced by pocking. 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. 373. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013 In mountain pasture (147m OD), on a SE-facing slope, to S of Coomacarrea Mountain and overlooking the Owroe and Inny river valleys. A very large, prominent sandstone boulder (dims. 3.50m NW-SE; 4.20m NE-SW; H 2.10m at SW) with a smooth and fractured surface. This stone has a sub-rectangular decorated surface (dims. 2.27m NW-SE; 1.78m NE-SW) bearing very weathered motifs that show evidence of freeze-thaw action. The decorative elements are situated upon a flat area across the NE half of the boulder; The stone forms a peak (H 0.74m) across the SW half, where no motifs were noted. A large cup-and-two-ring motif (overall diam. 49cm; cup diam. 8cm; D 6mm; ring Wth 2cm; D 4mm) is located toward the N end of the decorated surface. A slightly smaller cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 20cm; cup diam; 5cm; D 8mm) is adjacent to E and is defined by pickmarks (D 4mm) between the cup and the ring. There are natural depressions to SE edge of this motif and a radial groove of pickmarks extend from ring at S. A cupmark (diam. 6cm; D 5mm) is located 9cm to N of large cup-and-two-ring motif and another cup-and-two-ring motif (overall diam. 29cm; cup diam. 8cm; D 20mm; ring Wth 1-2cm; D 4mm) is located to immediate W of latter; The northern arc of the outer ring is missing, possibly due to freeze-thaw action. A cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 12cm; cup diam. 6cm; D 5mm; ring Wth 2cm; D 3mm) is upon a higher area of stone surface (H 9cm) close to W of latter; Two cupmarks (diam. 6cm; D 4mm; diam. 8cm; D 5mm) are adjacent and the three form an alignment (long-axis c. NNW-SSE). A gently curving groove (L 1.12m NNW-SSE; Wth 2cm; D 3mm) of pickmarks passes between the two cup-and-two-ring motifs. A series of nine cupmarks (diam. c. 4.5-6cm; D c. 2.5-3cm) and intersecting meandering grooves (Wth 2cm) of pickmarks are located across the S and SE area of the decorated surface. A curvilinear line (L 14cm E-W) having a long return (L 20cm NW-SE) of pickmarks at the SE end, terminates at a ledge (H 24cm). There are also natural depressions that look like cupmarks upon this stone. Rock art (KE081-038001-) is adjacent to NW; A stream is located c. 30m to NW and a boundary fence is c. 30m to SW. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 5 July 2017