What is recorded here

Five decorated stones cluster on a stony Kerry slope, including one boulder marked with three faint cups and a single cup-and-ring. They sit overlooking the Kealduff River valley, exposed enough for rain and foot traffic to polish them, yet distinct enough to still be read. The marks are small, shallow and repeated, suggesting a place where people returned often enough to make the rock familiar.

The upper surface of this small, rounded, earthfast boulder, 1m x .5m x .35m high, bears three faint cupmarks and one cup-and-ring (Anati 1963, 5, No.8; Finlay 1973, 78-9). See attached drawing of rock art taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 54 (f) 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. 299. 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 (252m 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. Very rough and unfractured sandstone rock outcrop (dims. 1.15m NW-SE; 0.6m NE-SW; H 0.35m) with a sub-rectangular decorated surface (dims. 0.34m NW-SE; 0.23m NE-SW) having a S-facing aspect. The rock art is weathered yet visible and consists of: Three single cupmarks (diam. c. 4cm; D c. 3mm); one cup-and-ringmark (total diam. c. 15cm), having a cupmark (diam. 5cm; D 3mm) and ring (Wth 2cm; D 2-3mm). Rock art (KE082-023001-) is located 3.1m to SW. Lough Brin is situated to E. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 8 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 ritual or symbolic practices in prehistoric Europe. The cup-and-ring carving may have had ceremonial or territorial significance, though specific folklore or use in local tradition is not recorded.

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