Rock art in Neesha

In mountain heath, on SE spur of Macklaun Mountain. Excellent views of surrounding landscape, particularly along valley of Meelagh River to Caragh Lake at NE and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Carrauntoohill to ENE. A slightly rough and fractured sandstone boulder (dims. 2.95m ENE-WSW; 2.1m NNW-SSE; H 0.8m at N) which is suboval in plan. It has an irregular decorated surface (dims. 1.1m ENE-WSW; 0.65m NNW-SSE) which has an ENE-facing aspect. The decorated surface bears at least five motifs which are very faint, yet traceable. A suboval ringmark (dims. 17cm ENE-WSW; 20cm NNW-SSE) defined by a ring (Wth 1.5-2cm; 2-3mm) is located at W-end of decorated surface. Two linear grooves are adjacent to E. The closest linear groove (L 9cm; Wth 1.5cm; D 3mm) is c. 3.5cm to E. Occasional pockmarks (average diam. 12mm; D 2mm) occur randomly around the linear grooves. Two cupmarks (diam. 3.5cm; D 4mm) are situated to E-side of decorated surface and a possible cupmark (diam. 3cm; D 2mm) is in NW corner of stone. A field fence is 2.2m to N. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 18 July 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, this rock art may have held ritual or symbolic significance, possibly linked to landscape features visible from the site, such as Carrauntoohill, Ireland’s highest peak. Its location suggests it could have been used for navigation, territorial marking, or as part of a wider ceremonial landscape.