Ritual site

MacDonagh recorded a site known as 'Gliunaraght or St Attracta's Knees' in the townland of Tawnawealon at which a low stone wall surrounded a flat rock inscribed with a simple cross and containing two saucer-like depressions (MacDonagh MSS, vol. 18, 10-11). The depressions were believed to be the imprint of the saint's knees and the site was frequented by pilgrims who left votive offerings of coins and beads. Tawnawealon does not exist as a townland name on the OS 6-inch maps and it is assumed to refer to the townland of Tawnalion (OS 6-inch maps 39 and 40). Despite extensive searching the location of this stone has not been found. (M. A. Timoney 1989, 1-3) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008

The site is associated with St Attracta, a 5th-century Irish saint, and the depressions in the stone may have been used for ritual water collection or as symbolic representations of her knees, linked to prayers for healing. Such stones often feature in early Christian pilgrimage traditions and local folklore surrounding saintly intercession.