Shrine in Ballinlena

Located in the N half of a graveyard (MA008-0060007-), 15m N of a church (MA008-006001-). This monument is traditionally known as the grave of St. Cummin, who is said to have founded a monastery here in the 7th century. It consists of a low, sod-covered stony mound (3.7m N–S; 2.5m E–W; H 0.55m at W). An upright, edge-set slab (L 1.12m N–S; H 0.4m; T 0.05m) borders the E side of the mound, and in line this, is a smaller upright slab, now leaning to E, which is located just beyond the S end of the mound. The W side of the mound is bordered by a N–S row of seven upright slabs, with long axes aligned to the axis of the mound. Amongst the seven uprights there are two tall pillar-like slabs and a cross-slab (MA008-006003-). One of the pillar-like slabs (H 1.85m; L 0.3m N–S; T 0.09m) marks the N end of the row, and is in line with the N end of the mound/grave. The cross-slab and two other low, close-set uprights intervene between this pillar and the second pillar (H 1.7m; L 0.2m N–S; T 0.14m) which is located toward the S end of the row, just beyond the S end of the mound. The row ends with two further low, upright slabs, which are located immediately S of the S pillar slab. The two pillar stones are rectangular in cross-section with flat tops, and are well matched in size and shape. The low uprights are more variable in form, falling within the following size range: H 0.3-0.7m; W 0.15-0.3m. According to local tradition, soil taken from the vicinity of the grave confers a blessing on whoever holds it. The mound is largely obscured by grass and clumps of brambles. Attached image: MA008-006002-_01.JPG Viewed from W Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 15 July 2019