Ritual site

In flat marshy grassland. A large thorn bush is locally regarded as sacred; a famine victim is reputedly buried beneath it. A large stone beside the bush is said to be the headstone. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

A large thorn bush in Ballinphuill is considered sacred, with local tradition claiming a famine victim is buried beneath it and a nearby stone serves as their headstone. Such sites often held spiritual or ritual significance in times of hardship, reflecting folk beliefs in the protective or restorative power of holy trees and wells.