Rock art in Cloghera Beg

In mountain heath (75m OD), on a gentle N-facing slope, on S side of Owenroe River valley, adjacent to W of a small stream; Mullaghanattin mountain to S. A smooth and fractured sandstone (dims. c. 5.00m NW-SE; c. 7.00m NE-SW; max. H 0.55m) which is triangular in plan. The decorative surface (dims. 0.40m N-S; 0.70m E-W) is flat, roughly rectangular in plan and bears two picked motifs which are weathered, yet traceable. The western decorative element is a penannular motif (diam. 21cm; ring Wth 1cm; D 2-3mm) which is open to SE. A keyhole-shaped motif (diam. 25cm; ring Wth 1cm; D 2-3mm), also open to SE, is located c. 17cm to E. It terminates at a natural striation (long-axis NE-SW) to SE. There are also natural linear striations (long-axis E-W) across the stone surface. Possibly upon same rock expanse (long-axis NE-SW) as rock art (KE082-103----) c. 14m to W. Initially identified by Karen O’Neill, Research Assistant Kerrylife project, Teagasc Walsh Fellow, Postgraduate with University of Dundee. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 26 January 2018

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, this rock art may have had ritual or territorial significance, possibly linked to landscape features such as the Owenroe River valley. No specific folklore is recorded for the site.