What is recorded here

Doagh water still moves past the rocks where ancient hands marked stone. The slants face south, catching light and rain on a narrow strip between land and island. People may have stood there in storm or celebration, reading the marks as others read sky. What they recorded has faded into legend, but the rock remains honest about being seen.

An area largely consisting of exposed rock slab interrupted by stretches of turf. There are three sets of rock marks in a rough N-S line (M. R. Colhoun). a to the S, b in the middle and c to the N. A fourth set, d, is located just to the W. It is possible that there are further examples here. They are situated on a virtually horizontal rock surface sloping S to the channel between the Isle of Doagh and the mainland. 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 rock art at Magheranaul may have had ritual or territorial significance, common to prehistoric rock art in the region. The alignment of the marks may reflect symbolic or astronomical orientations, though specific folklore or use remains unrecorded.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.