What is recorded here

On the west coast of South Kerry, a small upright sandstone slab still holds a central cup enclosed by two broken rings and a circle of smaller cups. The marks are not random; they form one compact design on a seat-like stone exposed to wind and rain. Whoever cut them worked quickly, perhaps marking a boundary, a memory or a gift to the dead. The missing parts of the outer ring may be loss, but the shape still points back to human hands making meaning on rock.

Located in an upright position at the W end of the previous example, this small decorated slab measures .45m x .55m. A central cupmark with a slight radial line is enclosed by three gapped concentric rings; a portion of the outermost ring is missing because of damage to the stone. A series of ten cupmarks are set at intervals between the two outermost rings, and a single cupmark is located close to the terminal of the outer ring. Shee and O'Kelly noted a number of parallels for this motif in Ireland, Scotland and Spain (1971, 73-5), dismissing Coles's theory that it is a representation of a Late Bronze Age shield (1965, 374-5). See attached drawing of rock art taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 54 (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. 318. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Abutting to WSW of the mid-panel of rock art example (KE082-036001-) (246m OD). Slightly rough and fractured, small, seat-like sandstone (dims. 0.57m N-S; 0.32m E-W; H 0.4m) which bears rock art upon the vertical WSW-face (dims. 0.38m N-S; 0.33m E-W; H 0.36m), which is roughly rectangular in plan and potentially upon the upper seat-like surface. The rock art is clearly visible and appears to form one decoration made up of approximately thirteen motifs: A central cup-and-two ring is enclosed by nine cupmarks. The central cupmark (diam. 7cm; D 6mm) is enclosed by two penannular rings (Wth 1.5cm; D 2-3mm) and the nine enclosing cupmarks (diam. 4-4.5cm; D 4-5mm) are smaller in comparison. These are enclosed by a single outer ring (Wth 1-2cm; D 3-8mm), which is incomplete at the upper (possibly due to freeze-thaw) and lower ends. A single cupmark may be present upon the upper seat-like surface of the stone. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 9 March 2017

This rock art, featuring a central cupmark with radial lines and concentric rings, is likely from the Neolithic or Bronze Age period. Such motifs are commonly associated with ritual or symbolic practices, possibly linked to water, fertility, or celestial observations.

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