Bullaun stone in Kilmog OR Racecourse

According to the OS Letters (1839), 'A little to the east of the liagan on the west side of the road from Kilkenny to Kells, is a stone called (Glúin Phádraig) Gluin (Gloon) Phadraig, i.e., Patrick's Knee. There are two holes in the top of this stone, six inches [0.15m] deep, six inches [0.15m] in diameter and six inches [0.15m] asunder; part of one of these holes and of the stone is broken away. We have been able to collect the following Authentic little piece of the history of this stone from the local Seanchaidhe:- Finn Mac Cool sent to St. Patrick for some certain request, which the Saint refused to grant, whereup0on Finn took up this bit of a rock and flung it at the Saint's head. It fell short, however, of the mark, whereupon the Saint went over to it and kneeling on it, impressed it with the marks of his knees, while offering a fervent prayer to God for his delivery from so ponderous a visitant' (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 267-8 (90)). Shearman (1876-8, 200) also refers to this tradition, though he dismisses them as, 'mere natural indentations or water-worn marks on the limestone rock'. He adds that an, 'old hawthorn bush over-shadows the Glun Padraig; on its branches hang the usual ex votis of shreds torn from the garments of the visitors and devotees' (ibid.). Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 393) quotes the description in the OS Letters and also mentions the holy tree, 'Patrick's Bush' (KK023-009002----). Carrigan (ibid., 392-3) also refers to a church (KK023-009003-)and graveyard (KK023-009004-) which according to tradition were located adjacent to the bullaun and holy tree. The standing stone mentioned in the OS Letters is located c. 300m to the NW. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 1 June 2021