What is recorded here

Rock art in Ballybane West carries at least twelve motifs across a broad stone surface, including six large ringmarks and three cup-and-ring designs. The largest ringmark reaches fifty-six centimetres, while the greatest cup-and-ring encloses a central cupmark within its own defined circle. The panel sits on an elevated south-facing slope above Roaringwater Bay, surrounded by dense heather, gorse and mollinia that can block easy approach. Whoever marked those circles worked on a wide exposed stone, making shapes large enough to see from a distance and detailed enough to invite closer attention.

Overlooking Roaringwater Bay, 300m NW of similar site (CO131-040---). Rock outcrop, described by Finlay (1973, 103-104) as decorated mainly with circles, four enclosing central cupmarks; squares, cupmarks, straight and curved lines. See attached screenshots of 3D model of the rock art panel created by archaeology.ucc. 3D model can be accessed at the Sketchfab website: https://skfb.ly/SNPs The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 In rough pasture (67m OD), on an elevated area of a S-facing slope with dense growth of heather, gorse and mollinia, which is impenetrable in places. A generally flat expanse of rock outcrop (dims. 20m E-W; 10m N-S; max. H 0.60m on downslope to N), which is slightly rough and fractured. It has an irregular shaped decorated surface (dims. c. 8.00m N-S; c. 15m E-W) located centrally upon the stone’s surface, off-centre to W. The decorative elements consist of at least twelve motifs which are in a reasonably good condition. There are six large ringmarks and three large cup-and-ring motifs. The largest ringmark (dims. 56cm N-S; 51cm E-W) is defined by a ring (wth 2-3cm; D 3-4mm); A linear groove extends from the circumference at S. The smallest ringmark is located adjacent to S of a linear rock fissure (long axis E-W) which extends across the southern margins of the rock surface; A semi-circular arc is adjacent to SE. A small ringmark at N has a right-angled groove which extends to E from the circumference. Three large cup-and-ring motifs form part of the decorated surface. The largest cup-and-ring motif (diam. 27cm) is defined by ring (Wth 2cm; D 3-4mm) and encloses a central cupmark (diam. 6.5cm; D 6mm). Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 13 July 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the rock art at Ballybane West may have had ritual or symbolic significance, possibly linked to water or landscape features. The circular motifs and cupmarks are commonly interpreted as representing celestial bodies, fertility, or ceremonial markers in prehistoric traditions.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.