Rock art in Kealduff Upper

A cup-and-four rings, with a long radial groove extending from the innermost ring, occurs on the upper surface of this triangular section of outcrop. Heavy overgrowth obscures the motif, which is well-preserved. The outcrop measures 2m x 1.15m, and the decorated surface slopes slightly upwards to N. 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. 332. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013 In rough, overgrown pasture, within a small rectangular field, c. 0.75m to S of field boundary (long axis E-W); Views of the River Behy valley are obscured by trees along boundary and within field. A smooth and fractured earthfast boulder (dims. 1.9m NW-SE; 1.3m NE-SW; H 0.45m at NE) with a very flat, low profile decorated surface (dims. 0.40m NW-SE, 0.35m NE-SW) which is subrectangular and having a SE-facing aspect. The motifs are located on the W quadrant of stone surface and consist of a penannular cup-and-four-ring motif (overall diam. 31cm; cup diam. 4cm; D 5mm; ring Wth 1cm; D 3-4mm); A linear groove (L 28cm) extends from the cup to SSW. A cupmark (diam. 4cm; D 4mm) is located 10cm to SE. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 5 July 2017

This rock art, featuring a cup-and-four rings with a long radial groove, is likely from the Neolithic or Bronze Age period. Such motifs are often associated with ritual or ceremonial practices, possibly linked to water sources or territorial markers in prehistoric landscapes.