St. Moluas Stone

In gently undulating countryside. Near St. Molua's Church (LA023-015) is St. Molua's stone an ancient font (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 279). No visible surface remains of bullaun stone that was located in a field to the SW of the church and graveyard (LA015-023001/002-). Recorded by Elizabeth FitzPatrick in 1993 as St. Molua's Stone is a large weathered limestone boulder (L 1.6m x 1.1m Wth ; H 0.6m) which on its upper surface contains five depressions. The Bullaun stone was formerly situated at the NW end of the field across the road to the SW of the graveyard (LA015-023002-). During preparation of this field for tillage in more recent times, the stone was pushed right up against the N field boundary at its W end. According to T. L. Cooke the local people up to about 1810 held an annual meeting at this stone on the Festival of Lughnasa (1st August) for dancing, merriment and match-making. Recent site inspection recorded the presence of the bullaun stone located immediately inside the entrance gates to the graveyard on the S side. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

St. Moluag's Stone is likely associated with the early Christian period, possibly 6th to 7th century, linked to the saint St. Moluag (or Molua), a 6th-century Irish monk and missionary. The stone may have functioned as a holy site or pilgrimage marker, with later Christian use as a font or holy well site, reflecting continuity from prehistoric sacred sites to early Christian practice.