Rock art in Magheranaul

An area largely consisting of exposed rock slab interrupted by stretches of turf. There are three sets of rock marks in a rough N-S line (M. R. Colhoun). a to the S, b in the middle and c to the N. A fourth set, d, is located just to the W. It is possible that there are further examples here. They are situated on a virtually horizontal rock surface sloping S to the channel between the Isle of Doagh and the mainland. Described by Van Hoek as 'Three carved rocks in this field have been previously mentioned and illustrated in DAS (Archaeological Survey of Donegal). Close inspection, however, revealed more engravings and therefore each carved surface has been fully reviewed here. Rock DON 17 takes in the engravings listed as Nos. 57C and 57D in DAS. The W part of this rock sloping 12 degrees to the SW, has seven long parallel grooves and five cupmarks, two of which have parts of one ring and a tail from the central cup. There are a few more grooves, one perhaps intended as a second ring. The engravings on this part are extremely faint, and a small cup and horseshoe ring, illustrated in DAS, could not be traced any more. The rock surface is moreover rather rough. On the contrary, the E part of the same rock has very well preserved markings, all clearly pocked. These comprise one single cupmark, two cups connected by small grooves, a disc-cup with three gapped rings and part of a fourth, and a long wavy groove running down the slope of 10 degrees to the SSW. On the lower part are two interesting designs. One is a small circle containing three short parallel grooves. The other is a complete cartouche enclosing 14 parallel grooves and at its SW corner there are some forked grooves across the corner. On this occasion a row of 17 short parallel grooves were also noted next to a small cupmark. This set is only 110cm NNE from the ringed disc-cup but is usually overgrown. The rock here slopes 7 degrees to the S (DAS No. 656, figs. 39C and D; Weir 1980, 30 and 130) (Van Hoek 1987, 33-4). The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the rock art at Magheranaul may have held ritual or territorial significance, possibly linked to early farming communities or symbolic navigation of the landscape. The alignment of marks in a rough north-south line suggests possible astronomical or ceremonial use.