Rock art in Derrynablaha

This lichened, flat-topped boulder measures 1.2m x .75m x .55m high, and its decorated upper surface is divided into two sections by a fissure. The lower section, at SE, features an irregular field outlined by grooves which contains over twenty cupmarks and individual pockings, as well as two rings. The larger of these rings is oval in form, and encloses a central cupmark surrounded by seven smaller cupmarks and several pockmarks. The smaller ring is circular in form, and features a central cupmark and a radial line extending from the ring; the ring is formed by a groove and an arc of shallow pocking. Abutting this irregular field is an approximately oval ring which encloses seven cupmarks. Elsewhere on this level are some isolated cupmarks and a cup-and-ring. On the upper section of the boulder, at NW, are a number of cupmarks and pock-marks. Traces of single rings surround two of the cupmarks, and a short curved groove runs from the NW edge of the rock (Anati 1963, 8, No. 12; Finlay 1973, 83-4). Anati recorded a 'megalithic wall', a 'stone circle' and a 'barrow' in close proximity to this boulder (1963, 8). He appears to have been referring, respectively, to an old field boundary, remnants of a stone wall enclosing a hummock and a poorly defined circular area outlined by outcrop on its W side, all of which occur to the SW of the rock art. To see a 3D model of this monument visit: https://skfb.ly/6yZLK 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. 319. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013 In upland heath pasture, on a steep SW-facing slope (182m OD); Lots of boulders strew across area of hillside to NE. Remains of drystone field wall c. 4-5m to SW. Smooth and fractured, relatively small sandstone boulder (dims. 1.35m N-S; 0.8m E-W; H 0.65m) with an irregular-shaped table-top, decorated surface (dims. 1.35m N-S; 0.8m E-W) having a very slight SW-facing aspect. The rock art occupies the whole of the flat upper surface of this stone, however is concentrated across the S-half with other more faint motifs across N-half; A natural rock fracture divides the N and S areas of decorated surface. The motifs are well-preserved, although visually obscured by lichen growth. The rock art consists of approximately thirty-three cupmarks (diam. 1cm; D 3-4mm) of similar size. Six cupmarks form a circle enclosed by a partial ring. There is one cup-and-one ringmark (total diam. c. 23cm) which consists of a cupmark (diam. 2cm; D 4mm) enclosed by seven cupmarks (1cm; D 4mm) and a ringmark (Wth 1cm; D 4mm). There is a depressed square motif (dims. 3cm; D 8mm) which is enclosed by a partial ring (Wth 1cm; D 4mm), located in the SW corner of stone surface. There are numerous pock and pick marks and linear grooves. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 8 March 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, this rock art may represent territorial markers or ritual symbols, with the fissure possibly indicating a natural or symbolic division. Such imagery is often linked to land use, spiritual beliefs, or early agricultural practices in the region.