Rock art in Maulagallane

Located on a peat-covered ridge in low-lying land, approximately 170m W of the Small river and near its confluence with the Sneem river, this dramatic section of rock outcrop extends NE-SW for a distance of 18.5m. Its NW side rises almost vertically to a height of .9m, but its 3m wide upper surface slopes gently down to the SE, where it runs beneath a .5m thick deposit of peat. The exposed surface is smooth, though fissured, and is decorated with a series of very large, weathered motifs for almost its entire length; some of these continue beneath the peat on its SE side. One cupmark is enclosed by four concentric rings, the outermost of which has a maximum diameter of 1.5m, making it the largest rock art motif on record from the Iveragh Peninsula; it features two external grooves, which extend downslope. The remainder of the cupmarks are enclosed by one to five rings, some of them gapped, and most of them tending towards a square shape. A number of the outer rings feature one or two short, external grooves which extend from the SE side of each motif. This is the largest recorded rock art surface from the Iveragh Peninsula. See attached drawing of rock art taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 69 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. 356. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. In mountain heath (49m OD), on a SSE-facing slope, having abundant rock outcrop (long-axis NW-SE); Overlooking coniferous forestry plantation and valley of the Small river to S; higher ground NW->NE. A slightly rough and fractured sandstone rock (long-axis NE-SW) (dims. 18m N-S; 2.40m E-W; max. H 0.64m at W) having a subrectangular decorated surface (dims. 9.85m NE-SW; 2.40m NW-SE) which has natural striations (long-axis E-W). The decorated surface of this rock outcrop has a gentle E-facing aspect and the southern end of the stone surface is flat. According to O’Sullivan & Sheehan (1996, 105), this is the largest recorded rock art surface on the Iveragh Peninsula. All motifs are picked and include a square-plan cup-and-five-ring motif (overall dims. 60cm N-S; 55cm E-W; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 1-2mm; cup diam. 4cm; D 5mm) at NE end of decorated surface; A deep fracture (dims. L 38cm x 5cm; max. D 29mm) is abutting to S. A cupmark (diam. 5cm; D 4mm) to SE is enclosed by an L-shaped groove (dims. 28cm NW-SE; 13cm NE-SW; Wth 1.5cm). A cup-and-two-ring motif (overall diam. 0.75cm; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 2mm; cup diam. 5cm; D 6mm) is located to SE. The outer ring is square in plan and a short linear groove extends from it at E and continues under the sod. A two-cup-and-three-ring motif (overall dims. 39cm N-S; 56cm E-W; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 1-2mm; cup diam. 4cm; D 5-6mm) is adjacent to W. The two outer rings are squared in plan and the outermost is open at NNW. There are four cupmarks depicted within interior of this motif by O’Sullivan & Sheehan (1996, 105; Fig. 69), however only two of these are now visible due to weathering. A cup-and-three-ring motif (overall dims. 94cm N-S; 92cm E-W; ring Wth 2cm; D 3mm; cup diam. 5cm; D 5mm) is close to S. The outer ring is squared in plan and two short, parallel grooves extend from it at E; A curvilinear motif is located 13cm to NE. A very large cup-and-four-ring motif (dims. 1.35cm N-S; 1.38cm E-W; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 1-2mm; cup diam. 6cm; D 9mm) is further to SE. A square-plan cup-and-four-ring motif (overall dims. 52cm N-S; 57cm E-W; ring Wth 2cm; D 2mm; cup diam. 6cm; D 4mm) is located close to SE and is difficult to decipher due to weathering. A very weathered cup-and-two-ring motif (overall dims. 1.12m NW-SE; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 2mm; cup diam. 4cm; D 4mm) at SE end of decorated surface, extends under the sod at E. A field fence is c. 27m to W. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 6 July 2017