Sundial in Ballinlena

Located within the W half of a graveyard (MA008-006007). This sundial consists of a roughly rectangular or trapezoidal-shaped stone slab (Wth 0.36m at top; T 0.006m) set upright in the ground. The total length of the stone appears to be at least 0.7m, but only c. 0.4m protrudes above the ground surface. Just below the top of the slab there is a circular perforation (diam. 0.003m) or gnomon hole. Radiating from gnomon hole are five incised lines or rays, two extending horizontally on either side of the gnomon hole, one extending vertically down from the hole, and two dividing the space between the vertical and horizontal lines. The rays end at an incised arc, which defines the base of the dial, curving from one edge of the slab to the other. A semicircular groove embellishes the ends of the rays, giving the end of each ray a three-pronged appearance; this semicircular feature is found on a number of Irish medieval sundials, the example that most closely resembles this one being at Monasterboice (LH021-0620011-). Sundials at Early Medieval monastic sites performed the important function of marking the prescribed hours for canonical prayer around which the monastic day revolved. The incised rays correspond to the principal canonical subdivisions of day, with the central vertical line calibrated to noon. The hole held the horizontal gnomon or stick, either wooden or metal, which cast a shadow on the rays of the dial. Attached image: MA008-006009-_01.JPG Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 15 July 2019