What is recorded here

Aoibheann Lambe identified the site in 2016, revealing cupmarks and rings carved into fractured sandstone above the Behy River valley. The marks wrap around three edges of the low rock, disappearing under peat or fading into weathered stone. They might be survey lines, gift marks or simply experiments by someone testing what the rock would hold. Either way, the valley watched while the hand worked, and the rock still carries the shape of that attention.

This monument was initially identified as rock art by Aoibheann Lambe in 2016. In mountain heath and cutaway bog, on a NE-facing slope (176m OD), overlooking Behy River valley to NE and overlooked by mountains SE->W->NE. A slightly rough and fractured sandstone rock outcrop (dims. 2.80m NW-SE; 1.90m NE-SW; max. H 0.40m) with three decorated surfaces having NE, SE and SW-facing aspects each bearing weathered and faint rock art. The NE-facing decorated surface (dims. 0.90m N-S; 2.25m E-W) has the highest concentration of motifs consisting of a pair of cupmarks (diam. 5-7cm; D 6-8mm) at the S-end having a short linear groove (L 6cm NE-SW; Wth 1cm; D 5mm) to immediate NW. These three motifs are on a flat, upper surface of rock. A partial cup-and-one ring motif (diam. 9cm) having a cupmark (diam. 7cm; D 12mm) and ring (Wth 1.5cm; D 3mm) S->NW, is located upon a flat surface, at edge of sloping rock face, off-centre to NW of decorated surface. A naturally formed elliptical hollow is located upon a lower level of rock surface, to N of this motif. A cup-and-two ring motif (diam. 21cm) having a cupmark (diam. 6cm; D 12mm) and penannular rings (Wth 1.5cm; D 2-3mm), open to E. A linear groove (L 12cm) extends from cupmark to beyond outer ring. This motif is located upon a relatively flat surface, to E of the elliptical hollow. Various lines of pickmarks (Wth 1.5cm; D 3mm) are clearly visible upon this NE-facing aspect and include c. six vertical lines and c. three horizontal lines of varying lengths. The SE-facing decorated surface (dims. 0.70m NE-SW; 0.40m NW-SE) bears a meandering line of pickmarks (Wth 1.5cm; D 3mm) which emerges from ground level and continues across the shoulder of this rock and around to the NE-facing aspect, where it is no longer traceable. A cupmark (diam. 5cm; D 3mm) and a small cluster of pickmarks are located centrally, to SW of a natural fracture. The SW-facing decorated surface (dims. 0.50m NW-SE; 0.02m NE-SW) bears a line (L 50cm) of pickmarks (Wth 1.5cm; D 3mm) which is visible at base of stone, at ground level. This line curves around the corner of the rock continuing to the SE-facing aspect for a short length before disappearing under the peat. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 3 March 2017

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 river valley and mountain views. Its meaning remains undeciphered, but such art often reflected spiritual beliefs or social identity.

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