Discover Alone, back to main map

Rock art in Forenaghts Great

Rock art

What is recorded here

Rock art in Forenaghts Great is a greywacke boulder in County Kildare, Ireland, marked with six groups of concentric circles, cupmarks and combinations of both. It emerged during ploughing in 1975 near Furness Church and now lies within that church graveyard. The stones may have watched feasts, funerals or quiet prayers, while people came and went across centuries.
Found in 1975 during ploughing c. 100m S of Furness Church (KD019-024001-) in the graveyard of which (KD019-024002-) it now lies and is designated KD019-024003-. A boulder of local metamorphosed greywacke (dims. L 1.33m; Wth 0.97m; T 0.50m) is decorated on one face with a pattern of six groups of concentric circles, cupmarks and combinations of both. (Shee 1975-6, 496-500; Meagher 1974-9, 118) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011
Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the rock art may have held ritual or territorial significance, possibly linked to early farming communities or local spiritual practices. Its placement near a church and graveyard suggests later associations with Christian or folk traditions, though original meaning remains unclear.

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

What survives
Recorded monument

Places near here

Add to this placeAdd a picture Comment or add a tip

Explore 1,118,481 places