What is recorded here

No visible trace of the boulder remains where the white scorched grass still marks the removed field boundary. The lost stone carried twenty-two cupmarks, several rings and a curved radial groove across its stepped surface. Someone erased the boundary and perhaps the memory itself, leaving only a pale line in the pasture to suggest that Derrynablaha once held a complete chamber of marks.

The stepped upper surface of this large boulder measures 2.25m x .85m a minimum of 1m thick. The carving is confined to the lower plane at S, which is divided by a curving linear groove and a natural fissure, both of which run approximately E-W. On the S side of this division are ten simple cupmarks, two incomplete cup-and-rings, a cup-and-ring with a curved radial groove that extends from the ring, and a linear groove. To N occur six simple cupmarks, five cup-and-rings, one plain ring, one cup-and-two gapped rings with a radial groove terminating in an external cupmark, and an oval pocked area. Two of the six simple cupmarks are partly enclosed by an incomplete oval, and two of the five cup-and-rings are quite weathered (Finlay 1973, 87). See attached drawing of rock art taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 58 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. 308. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. In rough, (improved) pasture, on a SE-facing slope. Field boundary (long-axis NW-SE) at this location has been removed and it is possible that the rock art site may have been removed or disturbed in the process. No visible surface trace and no similar stone evident in the vicinity. Trace of linear field boundary visible as differential growth, whereby scorched, white grass delineates location of former field boundary and contrasting against dark green grass of surrounding field. Description as described by Finlay (1973, 87) and O’Sullivan & Sheehan (1996, 93; Entry 308, Figure 58). 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, given the style and context of such carvings in Ireland. The curving groove and natural fissure may have held symbolic or ritual significance, possibly related to water or boundary markers in prehistoric belief systems.

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.