What is recorded here

Rock art in Derrynablaha carries a cup-and-ring motif picked into fractured sandstone above the Kealduff river valley. Aoibheann Lambe first identified the mark in 2014, long after the clachan and farmhouse nearby had emptied into memory. The small decorated surface still faces south, holding its shape in rough pasture while the valley shifts beneath it.

This monument was initially identified as rock art by Aoibheann Lambe in 2014. In rough pasture, just below a break of a SE-facing slope (173m OD). Overlooking Kealduff river valley NE->E->SE with a view of Lough Brin to E. A slightly rough and fractured sandstone rock (2.5m N-S; 2.0m E-W; H 2.5m) which is cut into hillslope at W-side. It has a sub-rectangular decorated surface (dims. 0.16m N-S; 0.16m E-W) with a S-facing aspect. There is a cup-and-one ring motif (diam. 0.16m) which has been roughly picked out of this rock face. The inner ring (Wth 2cm; D 2mm) and outer ring (Wth 1.5cm; D 2mm) also appears to be roughly picked out of the stone surface. The rings are penannular and are complete SE->W->N->NE. Rock art (KE082-028----) is c. 50m to NW. A deserted clachan lies c. 55m to WNW and an abandoned farmhouse is c. 40m to E. Short portion of field boundary removed, adjacent to W. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 8 March 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the rock art in Derrynablaha may have held ritual or symbolic significance, possibly linked to landscape features such as the Kealduff river valley and Lough Brin. Its meaning remains undeciphered, but such art often reflected spiritual beliefs or territorial markers.

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