What is recorded here

Gortacloghane holds eight shallow cupmarks on a fractured sandstone boulder, overlooking the Blackwater river valley from a rough pasture spur. The largest mark sits near the ground like a forgotten well, while six smaller cups cluster along the top edge as if someone counted rain or stars before leaving. The stone still faces the valley, waiting for hands that have not returned since the cups were cut.

In rough pasture (158m OD), on a level area of ground of an otherwise S-facing slope, on SE spur of Mullaghanattin mountain range; Overlooking the Blackwater river valley S->W; coniferous forestry SE->S. Situated in NW corner of a small triangular field which is defined by very low drystone walls. A slightly rough and fractured sandstone boulder (dims. 0.84m NNW-SSE; 0.73m ENE-WSW; max. H 0.35m) with a rectangular decorated surface (dims. 0.75m NNW-SSE; 0.52m ENE-WSW), having a NE-facing aspect. The motifs consist of eight cupmarks (average diam. 5-6cm; D 10mm), six of which are located near the ‘spine’ along the top of the stone. The largest and most shallow cupmark (diam. 8cm; D 8mm) is located at base of stone, near ground level. The SW-aspect bears no obvious rock art and its surface is very fractured, with numerous parallel striations (long-axis NW-SE). This monument was initially identified as rock art by A. Lambe (2016). Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 6 July 2017

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