What is recorded here

A small sandstone boulder in Derrynacoulagh, County Kerry, still displays four shallow cupmarks and three tiny pickmarks on its north face. It sits upright at the edge of a pasture slope, overlooking the Feabunaun stream valley and the dark ridges of the Esk and Barraboy mountains. The marks are small enough to hide among grass and soil, yet they belong to the old rock-art tradition of human hands shaping stone long before written history.

In improved pasture (111m OD), on a SE-facing slope; Excellent views of Feabunaun stream valley, Esk and Barraboy mountains to S; overlooked by Knockeirka hill to N. A small, upright boulder located at E edge of an area of rock outcrop and field clearance stones. A smooth and fractured sandstone boulder (dims. 0.45m N-S; 0.85m E-W; max. H 0.70m) having a subrectangular decorated surface (dims. 0.25m N-S; 0.40m E-W) with a N-facing aspect. Four cupmarks (range diam. 5.5-6cm; D 9-10mm) off-centre to S of stone. Three distinct pickmarks (range diam. 8-9mm; D 5mm) adjacent to E. This monument was initially identified as rock art by A. Lambe (2015). Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 7 July 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, this rock art may have held ritual or territorial significance, possibly linked to landscape features such as the nearby mountains and stream valley. The orientation and visibility suggest it could have been used for ceremonial purposes or as a marker within a broader prehistoric landscape.

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