Rock art in Coomasaharn

The N face of this hogback-shaped boulder is decorated with an extensive series of motifs, the best preserved being a cup-and-two rings with a radial groove, from which extend three meandering grooves, one of which runs almost the full length of the boulder. At the upper end of the decorated surface is a series of faint, picked motifs. These include nine cup-and-rings, a cup-and-two-rings, three cupmarks with radial grooves, and five simple cupmarks. A number of the cup-and-ring motifs appear to be gapped, but this may be the result of weathering. The letters M, Q and I are incised onto the rock surface (O’Kelly 1958a, 3, No.3; Finlay 1973, 44-5). See attached drawing of rock art taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 50 (c) The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 272. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013 In bank of turf (185m OD), which forms S-edge of bog trackway; turf spreading area abuts to S. Excellent views across Behy River valley to NE, as far as Glenbeigh. A smooth and fractured, sandstone boulder (dims. 1.10m N-S; 1.40m E-W; max. H 0.70m) with a NW-facing aspect. Base of boulder is above (H c. 0.23m) surface of trackway. The decorated surface (dims. 0.60m N-S; 1.10m E-W) is convex and faces inwards to trackway. The motifs are clear yet weathered and formed by a series of pickmarks, however much of that recorded by O’Sullivan & Sheehan is obscured by encroaching bog, surrounding vegetation and lichens upon the decorated surface. The visible rock art consists of a long meandering groove (L c. 1.0m; Wth 2cm; D 4mm) of pickmarks (diam. 6-10mm; D 3mm) which extends (long-axis E-W) across the exposed surface. According to O’Kelly (1958a, 3, No. 3) and Finlay (1973, 44-5), the letters ‘M, Q and I’ are visible upon the rock surface, however only the letter ‘I’ is currently visible. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 2 March 2017

This rock art is likely from the Neolithic or Bronze Age period, based on the presence of cup-and-ring motifs, which are commonly associated with prehistoric ritual or territorial marking. The meandering grooves may represent symbolic watercourses or spiritual pathways, reflecting a connection to landscape and mythology in prehistoric belief systems.