Rock art in Teeromoyle

The decorated stone (KE070-072001-) is an approximately rectangular-sectioned block of green sandstone measuring .68m x .28m x .24m. It is decorated on all four faces. A portion of one face has been broken off, but on the remaining portion is an incomplete cup-and-circle and radial line. Macalister's illustration of the stone indicates that there was a similar motif towards its broader end. The obverse face features a ring and radial groove, as well as a conjoined arrangement of five subcircular and two incomplete rings, one of which features a central cupmark. Three grooves run from this arrangement to the edges of the stone. The sides of the stone each feature a sub-circular pocked area with a radial line and a plain cupmark. The absence of decoration on either end of the stone supports the suggestion that it may have originally functioned as a pillar stone (Connolly 1991, 34-41). The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 396. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013 At E side of rubble stone building (194m OD), at E edge of farmyard complex and near to boundary with the tertiary road. A smooth and unfractured, portable pillar stone (dims. L 0.65m; Wth 0.28m; T 0.20m) lying flat upon ground surface. This sandstone is decorated on all four surfaces (Sides A-D) where motifs are weathered and obscured by mosses. Side A has a rectangular decorated surface (dims. L 0.44m; Wth 0.28m) bearing six inter-connecting rings (min. dims. 9cm x 7cm to max. dims. 9cm x 11cm; Wth 1.5-2cm; D 2mm) with the central example forming a cup-and-ring motif (overall dims. 13cm x 11cm; Wth 2cm; D 2-3mm; cup diam. 5cm; D 3mm). A linear groove (dims. L 13cm; Wth 2cm; D 3mm) extends from this ring to long edge of stone. Two other linear grooves (dims. L 7cm; Wth 2cm and L 9cm; Wth 1.5cm), roughly parallel to the linear groove mentioned above, extend from the rings either side of the cup-and-ring to edge of stone. All as per Connolly (1991, 35, Fig. 2a). Side B has a sub-rectangular decorated surface (dims. L 0.32m; Wth 0.23m) having a circular motif (dims. 9cm x 8cm; D 2-3mm) formed by pickmarks; A linear groove (dims. L 9cm; Wth 1.5-2cm; D 3mm) extend from this motif to long edge of stone. Small cupmark (dims. 3cm x 2.5cm; D 5mm) is located 22cm from circular motif. All as per Connolly (1991, 35, Fig. 2b). Side C has a rectangular decorated surface (dims. L 0.24m; Wth 0.15m), part of which has broken off. A large cup-and-ring motif (overall dims. 16cm x 14cm (to edge of fracture); ring Wth 2cm; D 2mm; cup diam. 5cm; D 2mm. A linear groove (dims. L 7cm; Wth 2cm; D 2mm) extends from ring to long edge of stone. According to Connolly (1991, 34, Fig. 2c), the damaged surface bore a similar cup-and-ring, however the radial groove extended from the opposite side of the ring. Side D has a sub-rectangular decorated surface (dims. L 0.39m; Wth 0.17m) having a circular motif (dims. 7cm x 6cm; D 2mm; cup diam. 2cm; D 6mm) defined by pickmarks; A linear groove (dims. L 7cm; Wth 1cm; D 3mm) (Connolly 1991, 35, Fig 2d). According to Connolly (ibid), this decorated stone is reputed to have been found in a cairn. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 31 May 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the rock art may represent symbolic or ritual markings, possibly linked to territorial boundaries, spiritual beliefs, or communal identity. No specific folklore is recorded for this site.