What is recorded here

Twelve cups, some ringed, some tailed, are carved into a sloping rock face above the Doagh shore. They face the water like markers left for someone returning from the sea. The angles are sharp, the spacing uneven, and one cup carries three rings instead of two. Whatever they recorded, they recorded it quickly and without decoration.

Described in the Archaeological Survey of Donegal as 'An exposed area of natural rock on which are carved at least 3 sets of rock marks: 59 to the S against the field boundary; 60 NE of this also against the field boundary and 61 to the W. The designs mainly consist of cup and circle motifs, some of which have tails. They are situated in an area of outcrop and turf sloping towards the S shore of the Isle of Doagh'. Described by Van Hoek as 'Further SW along the wall is another longish outcrop surface which slopes 5 degrees to the SSE. It features a row of 11 cups, one of which has one complete ring and traces of a partial second one. There is also a cup with three complete rings which are angular at the S quadrant. Four cups are rather large and are only superficially pocked out. One of these has faint straight grooves attached to it, but their prehistoric origin is not clear' (fig. 11B) (Van Hoek 1987, 39) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: : 30 May 2010

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the rock art at Magheranaul may have held symbolic, ritual, or territorial significance, common to prehistoric rock art in Ireland. Its placement near field boundaries suggests a possible connection to land use or boundary marking.

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