What is recorded here

Caherdaniel holds over one hundred weathered cupmarks, rings and grooves across three surfaces of a large sandstone boulder. Aoibheann Lambe identified the rock art in 2014, but the marks may have waited in pasture since people first read shape and memory into stone. The valley, mountains and mossy cleavage still surround it, while the cups remain like small dark wells waiting to be noticed.

This monument was initially identified as rock art by Aoibheann Lambe in 2014. In improved, gently undulating pasture (54m OD), on a SE-facing slope. On W-side of valley of Coomnahorna River. Limited views S->W and overlooked by Cahernageeha Mountain to NW, Coad Mountain to NE and high ground to E. A large boulder which has a ridge (long-axis E-W) forming highest part of stone. A smooth and fractured sandstone (dims. 3.60m N-S; 6.05m E-W; max. H 1.50m at N) having a three decorated surfaces bearing over one hundred weathered motifs. A subrectangular decorated surface to S-facing aspect bears seventy cupmarks (range diam. 3.5-9cm; D 5-20mm), including three cupmarks (diam. 5cm; D 5-6mm) on top of stone ridge. There are five cup-and-ring motifs (overall diam. 12-14cm; ring Wth 1.5-2cm; D 4-5cm; cup diam. 6cm; D 14-15mm) and thirteen linear grooves (L 35-85cm; Wth 2-3.5cm; D 4-5mm). A natural valley-like cleavage plain filled with moss and field clearance stones defines lower portion of S-facing decorated surface. A roughly triangular decorated surface to SW-facing aspect bearing natural fractures and weathered motifs including nine cupmarks (diam. 4-6cm; D 5-6mm). A ledge (H 20cm) separates one cupmark on higher part of stone, to SE from the others on lower part of stone, to NW. A subrectangular decorated surface to N-facing aspect bears thirteen cupmarks (diam 4-5.5cm; D 5-11cm) and a faint linear groove (L 19cm; Wth 2cm; D 2mm) at W. A linear groove (L 32cm; Wth 2cm; D 2mm) at E is very faint and continues onto S-facing aspect, where it incorporates two cupmarks near base; A large oval depression (dims. 14cm x 12cm; D 11cm) is adjacent to E. This monument was initially identified as rock art by A. Lambe (2014). Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 7 July 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the rock art in Caherdaniel may represent symbolic or ritual markings associated with early farming communities or territorial markers. Its meaning remains undeciphered, but such art often relates to spiritual beliefs, social identity, or landscape orientation.

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