Rock art in Lacknacoo

Marked 'St. Columbkille's Stones' on the OS 6-inch maps, this site is traditionally believed by some to be the location of the birth of Columcille.* The site consists of a mound (DG044-021001-), almost oval in plan, 8m N-S and 5m E--W, .5m high. On the N half of the mound is a U-shaped setting of stones open to the N and 4m N-S by 2.5m E-W. Abutting the SE edge of the stone setting is a subcircular slab (DG044-021002-) 2m x 1.7m x .12m. The upper surface of the stone has a number of cupmarks c. 0.1m in diameter. Kinahan (1889, 284) suggested that the cupmarked stone may have been a cover for the U-shaped setting. The site is located on the crest of an E-W ridge with good views to N and S. A modern cross has been erected nearby. *But see Churchtown (DG044-017001-). The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the site may have had ceremonial or ritual significance, possibly later associated with early Christian tradition through its connection to St. Columbkille. The mound and stones may have been repurposed or venerated in the context of saintly folklore.