Rock art in Derrynablaha

The Derrynablaha rock art complex is located at the head of the Kealduff river valley, which is encompassed by Mullaghanattin, Knockaunanattin and Knocklomena mountains. Ballaghbeama Gap marks the NW end of the valley, cutting between Mullaghanattin and Knockaunanattin, while Lough Brin divides Knockaunanattin and Knocklomena on its NE side. The valley floor bears a mantle of blanket bog, where a number of prominent rock outcrops and boulders feature carvings (See page 94). The remainder of the rock art occurs higher up the slopes on the N and W sides of the valley, in rough boggy pasture that is broken by numerous rock outcrops. The most heavily decorated rock surface (KE082-036001-) is found between two streams on the lower E slopes of Mullaghanattin; five other examples occur in this area (see pages 95-96), all of which overlook Lough Brin across the valley to E. Slightly further N, the NE spur of Mullaghanattin has a group of thirteen decorated stones scattered over its spine (see pages 91-96). These command an extensive outlook along the valley to S which includes a distant view of the Beara Peninsula. A rocky knoll, crowned with a standing stone (KE082-031----), is situated on the N side of this spur. Three examples of rock art occur on or close to this knoll (KE082-029----, KE082-030----- & KE082-032----), which also overlooks Lough Brin. A pre-bog trackway (KE082-070----) is located close to the northernmost example. Anati recorded fifteen examples of rock art at Derrynablaha (1963, 1-10), but some of his descriptions are rather inaccurate. Finlay noted an additional eight examples (1973, 69-90). At present the group comprises twenty-six decorated stones, making Derrynablaha the largest rock art complex in Ireland. In the adjoining townland of Derreeny, also at the head of the Kealduff river valley, is a further group of seven stones (KE082-078----, KE082-079----, KE082-067----, KE082-072-----, KE082-073----, KE082-074---- & KE082-080----). Occurring close to the N end of the complex, on the NE spur of Mullaghanattin, this small boulder measures 1.15m x .7m. Its entire upper surface is covered with well-preserved, deeply cut motifs. These comprise ten simple cupmarks, one of which may be a natural hollow, eight cup-and-rings, one with a radial groove extending from the ring, and three cup-and-two rings, two of which are conjoined and feature penannular outer rings, one spiralling slightly. A faintly pocked area occurs on the S edge of the decorated surface (Anati 1963, 5, No.6; Finlay 1973, 77-8). 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. 297. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013 In a very stony area of upland heath pasture, on a S-facing slope (250m OD), overlooking Kealduff River valley of which stream to SW is a tributary. One of a cluster of six low profile, decorated stones which occupy a small area (dims. 16m NE-SW; 8m NW-SE) of hillside. Slightly rough and unfractured sandstone rock outcrop (dims. 1.15m N-S; 0.7m E-W; H 0.2m) with a sub-rectangular decorated surface (dims. 0.9m N-S; 0.5m E-W) having a NE-facing aspect. The rock art is well-defined and consists of: Ten single cupmarks (diam. c. 4.5cm; D c. 4-5mm); eight cup-and-one ring (total diam. c. 13-14cm); three cup-and-two rings (total diam. c. 16-20cm). Two of the cup-and-one rings are incomplete. Rock art (KE082-023003-) is located 3.1m to NE. Lough Brin is situated to E. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 8 March 2017

The rock art in Derrynablaha is likely from the Neolithic or Bronze Age period, given its context in a remote upland valley typical of early prehistoric settlement patterns. Such sites often held ritual or symbolic significance, possibly linked to territorial markers, celestial observations, or ancestral worship.