What is recorded here

Doire Fhionáin Beag holds a flat boulder marked with faint cups and rings, visible across rough pasture beneath Cahernageeha Mountain. Aoibheann Lambe identified the art in 2015, revealing that people once stood where sheep now graze and drew upon stone. Some lines disappear under grass or buried boulders, preserving more than they show. The site remains small, exposed and ancient, waiting for patience rather than announcement.

In rough pasture (45m OD), on a broad, elevated area of ground, on a gentle SSE-facing slope. Surrounded by low hills and mountains; good view of Cahernageeha Mountain to N and Caherdaniel Fort (KE106-063001-) is clearly visible to SE. An earthfast boulder (dims. 2.50m N-S; 1.60m E-W; max. H 0.50m at S) having a subrectangular decorated surface (dims. 0.45m N-S; 0.45m E-W) to N and a similar shaped decorated surface (dims. 0.60m N-S; 0.80m E-W) to S. The decorated surfaces are interrupted by two loose field clearance boulders (dims. 1.00m x 0.70m and (dims. 0.85m x 0.60m) at S and N, respectively which may obscure other motifs; Sod covering E side of stone may also cover decorative elements. The motifs upon the N decorated surface are very faint and consist of a cluster of eight cupmarks (range diam. 3.5-5cm; D 3mm), a partial cup-and-ring motif and a pockmark (diam. 1cm; D 2mm) adjacent to E. The motifs upon the S decorated surface are very faint and consist of a cup-and-ring motif (overall dims. 16cm x 14cm; ring Wth 1.5-2cm; D 2-3mm; cup diam. 4.5cm; D 4mm) with a linear groove (L 20cm, Wth 1.5-2cm; D 3mm) extending from ring at E and a second linear groove (L 36cm) which extends from ring to WNW; A cupmark (diam. 3cm; D 3mm) is located 9cm to WNW of terminus and a second cupmark is to SSE. A partial cup-and-ring (overall dims. 15cm N-S; 10cm E-W; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 1-2mm; cup diam. 4cm; D 3mm) is located to E, having a very faint ring N>E->S. A linear groove (L 27cm) extends from cup at E side and continues under the sod; A parallel groove is located adjacent to N and S. A partial cup-and-ring motif (overall dims. 5cm N-S; 7cm E-W; ring Wth 1cm; D 1-2mm; cup diam. 2.5cm; D 3mm) is located to E side of decorated surface. It has a faint ring present W->N->E. This monument was initially identified as rock art by Aoibheann Lambe (2015). Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 7 July 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the rock art at Doire Fhionáin Beag may have held ritual or symbolic significance, possibly linked to landscape features such as Caherdaniel Fort. Its placement in an elevated and visible location suggests it may have functioned as a marker or focus for communal activity.

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