What is recorded here

Skirk stands beside a buried chamber where urns and bones still wait, marking one of Ireland's oldest known death rituals. The stone rises beside a small mound and a hidden henge, suggesting people returned there across generations to honour the dead. What is certain is that urn burial happened at this spot; what is missing is the name of every person whose ashes joined the earth beneath it.

Urns and traces of burials and urns were found beside Skirk standing stone (LA021-021004-) (Feehan 1983, 236). Traces of burials and urns were found beside the standing stone (LA021-021004-) in the bailey or henge (LA021-021001-) interior (JRSAI, Vol 34, 321). Immediately to the NW of the standing stone is a small artificial mound or motte (LA021-021002-) (D. c. 5m, H. c. 0.5m). Nearby standing stone (LA021-023) in field to SE. 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

Urn burial; likely dates to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. The association with a standing stone and possible henge suggests ritual or funerary significance.

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