Rock art in Derrynablaha

This large rectangular boulder measures 3.5m x 2.5m. The decorated surface, sloping upwards to SE, is divided into three roughly rectangular sections by a fissure and a step. Rich arrays of carvings occur on the S and central sections. Anati suggested that their differing degrees of wear may indicate that they were executed over a long period (1963, 6), though Finlay noted that this may simply be due to different techniques of execution (1973, 81). At least twenty-three cupmarks and eighteen cup-and-ring motifs, varying from one to six rings, occur on the lower level of the boulder at S (Fig. 54a). Eight of the cup-and-ring motifs are of the cup-and-single ring type; of these, five are cup-and-annular rings, two are cupmarks enclosed within arcs of rings and one features a radial groove that extends from the cupmark past a slightly spiralling ring. Four cup-and-two rings occur, a pair being gapped and one featuring a short radial groove that extends from the outer ring. There are three cup and-three ring motifs, one conjoined to one of the cup and-two rings while another features traces of a broad radial groove. Two cup-and-four rings occur, one with a radial groove extending from the cupmark and with one end of the outer circle terminating in a cupmark, the other with a radial groove extending from the cupmark through a gapped inner circle to the innermost of the three outer, annular, rings. The largest motif is a cup and-six rings, the outermost ring being represented only by an arc; a lightly pocked trapezoidal groove extend from the central cupmark, and there is a satellite cupmark on one of the outer rings. A number of linear grooves also occur on this section of the boulder. The central section of the boulder is raised above the S section by a step. At its W end is a number of roughly circular areas of light pocking which are enclosed and linked by meandering grooves. The dominant motif, a cup-and-five rings, is located towards the N edge of the section; it features a radial groove that extends from the inner to the outermost ring through a gap in one of the intervening rings. Just to the E of this is a group of motifs which Anati regarded as forming an anthropomorphic figure (1963, 7). These comprise two conjoined cup-and-three rings, a number of adjoining cupmarks with radial grooves set within U-shaped grooves, and a number of pocked areas. A long radial groove extends from the larger of the two conjoined cup-and-three rings. The N section of the boulder is separated from the central section by a fissure. The five small cupmarks noted here by Anati (1963, 7) could not be identified. See attached drawing of rock art taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 54 (a) and (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. 317. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013 In rough, mountain pasture, on a steep NE-facing slope (246m OD), with extensive spectacular views over Ballaghbeama Gap (to N), Kealduff River valley and Lough Brin (to E) and a distant view across valleys and mountain tops toward Kilgarvan/Ballyvourney. Slightly rough and fractured, substantial rock outcrop (dims. 4.6m ENE-WSW; 1.57m NNW-SSE) which is divided into three areas by a fissure (at N) and a downwards step (at S) (min. H 0.1m at WSW-end, max. H 0.4m at ENE-end). The motifs are located upon the mid-panel (dims. 2.0m ENE-WSW x 0.85m NNW-SSE), which is to N and the S-panel (dims. 2.6m ENE-WSW x 0.72m NNW-SSE), which are roughly rectangular in plan and although are flat, have a gentle NNW-facing aspect. The rock art is clearly visible upon both panels and in total comprises of c. 31 complete cupmarks (diam. c. 4-11cm; D 4-6mm) of varying sizes upon both panels; sixteen cup-and-one ring (diam. 10-12cm) with cupmark (diam. 5-6cm; D 5-6mm) and ring (Wth 1cm; D 3-4mm) of which four are complete and twelve are penannular, having a short radial groove extending from the cupmark and through the ring gap; four cup-and-two ring (diam.12cm) which have a cupmark (diam. 4-6cm; D 5-6mm) and ring grooves (Wth 1cm; D 3-4mm) of which two are complete; seven cup-and-three ring (diam.19-21cm) which have a cupmark (diam. 4.5-6cm; D 5mm) and ring grooves (Wth 1cm; D 3-4mm) of which one is complete and others which have a radial groove extending from the cup and through the ring gaps; One conjoined cup & three ring (total dims. 34cm SSE-NNW x 23cm ENE-WSW) of which there is a larger cup (diam. 7cm; D 5mm) and a smaller cup (diam. 6cm; D 5mm) and ring grooves (Wth 1cm; D 2-4mm); two cup-and-four ring (diam. 27-29cm) having a cupmark (diam. 6.5-7cm; D 5-10mm) and ring grooves (Wth 1cm; D 2-4mm) on the S-panel, which both have radial grooves extending from the cupmark and through the ring gaps; one cup-and-five ring (diam. 34cm) having a cupmark (diam. 6.5cm; D 8mm) and ring grooves (Wth 1cm; D 2-4mm) on the mid-panel, which has a radial groove extending from the inner to the outer ring; one cup-and-six ring (diam. 32cm) having a cupmark (diam. 6cm; D 10mm) and ring grooves (Wth 1cm; D 2-3mm) on the S-panel, which has a triangular feature which fans out from the cupmark to the outer ring and conjoins with one of the cup-and-two ring motifs. The outer ring of the cup-and-six ring motif is incomplete. There are a number of other linear and curvilinear grooves and pick marks amongst the main motifs, across both panels, making this a highly decorated rock art example. A possible anthropological motif is traceable at the W-end of the S-panel; when viewed from S, this could be interpreted as the figure of a person using a bow and arrow. A knob of rock protrudes from N-panel at ESE-end. A small, seat-like stone (KE082-036002-) is adjacent to WSW-end of N-panel. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 9 March 2017