What is recorded here

Ballynakilly holds ten faint cupmarks and three cup-and-ring designs on a fractured sandstone ledge, overlooking the Behy River valley. Aoibheann Lambe identified the site in 2016, revealing markings so weathered they nearly vanish into the rough pasture. The stones sit on a west-facing slope above a small stream, suggesting whoever cut them chose a place where water, shadow and distance still meet.

This monument was initially identified as rock art by Aoibheann Lambe in 2016. In rough pasture field, scattered with rock outcrop and boulders, on a W-facing slope (172m OD); Small stream c. 9m to S. Mountains NE->E->S and overlooking Behy River valley to N. A slightly rough and fractured, sandstone rock (dims. 1.90m E-W; 1.30m N-S; max. H 0.80m), which has a triangular-shaped decorated surface (dims. 1.25m E-W; 0.60m N-S) and a N-facing aspect. The rock art is very weathered and faint and consist of ten cupmarks (diam. 3-7cm; D 2-4mm) concentrated across the E-side of decorated surface. One of these cupmarks (diam. 4cm; D 3mm) has a faint traces of a groove (L 6cm; D 1-2mm) extending to E. Three cup-and-ring motifs (diam. 9-14cm) having a cupmark (diam. 4-5cm; D 2-3mm) and ring (Wth 1cm; D 2mm) which are extremely weathered. A cup-and-half ring (diam. 20cm) having a cupmark (diam. 7cm; D 2mm) and ring (Wth 1cm; D 2-3mm) is to E-side of decorated surface. A linear groove (dims. L 23cm E-W; Wth 2cm; D 4mm) and a second groove (dims. L 26 cm NW-SE; Wth 2cm; D 4mm) adjacent to W, are located upon W-side of decorated surface. Rock art site (KE071-098----) is c. 26m to W. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 3 March 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, this rock art may have held symbolic or ritual significance, possibly linked to local landscape features or early farming communities. No specific folklore is recorded for the site.

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