Rock art in Ardbeg

In the SW corner of Stradbally graveyard (KE035-018002-) is a large slab, 1.75m x .85m x .15m thick, with a single cup-mark on its upper surface. This latter is .06m in diameter and .015 to .02m deep. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 168. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 4 August 2013 In SW corner of Stradbally graveyard (KE035-018003-), on a level area of ground (8m OD), c. 0.7km to SE of Brandon Bay. Surrounding fields are in low-lying pasture and Lough Gill is c. 560m to NE. A smooth and fractured sandstone (dims. 1.75m NNW-SSE; 0.80m ENE-WSW; max. H 0.30m) with a flat, oblong surface (dims. 0.10m N-S; 0.10m E-W) bearing a single, well-preserved cupmark (dims. 7.5cm x 6.5cm; D 2cm) at the S end. Ivy is encroaching upon stone, around edges. Rock art stone is abutting (long-axis NNW-SSE) a box tomb to E and graveyard wall to S; Moriarty grave (1904) is adjacent to W. Stradbally Church (KE035-018002-) is close to NE. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 7 July 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the single cup-mark on the rock may have held ritual or symbolic significance, possibly related to water, fertility, or ceremonial practices. No specific folklore is recorded for this site.