St. Dimas Stone

Situated on a low rise of ground with good views in all directions and nearby holy well (TN005-007001) to the E. No visible remains of St Dima's Stone which the OS Letters (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 3, 30) describe as bearing the impression of the saint's finger in the form of a cross. In 1840 the Ordnance Survey recorded that ‘there was a well called Tobar Dioma/St. Dioma’s Well, a short distance Eastwards of Palace Church. It is now dried up. At the place, are some whitethorn bushes growing and here also is shown a stone on which may be seen the impression of the Saint’s finger’s, representing a cross. The stone is about 1½ foot [0.45m] long and 1 foot [0.3m] broad’ (O’Flanagan 1930, vol. 3, 30; OSL Dorrha Parish RIA MS 14/F/20/4/(v)). The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 12 October 2020

St. Dimas Stone is associated with the early Christian saint Dimas, who is linked to several holy sites in Ireland, often connected to healing wells and pilgrim traditions. The site's proximity to a holy well suggests it may have been part of a broader ritual landscape, where local folklore and Christian devotion intertwined.