What is recorded here

St. Kierans Bush marks a limestone outcrop in County Offaly where a flagstone bears hollow depressions. Local tradition claims those marks are the kneeprints and handprints of St Kieran, turning cold rock into a record of bodily prayer. The site became one station on the pattern walked on St Kieran's day, inviting participants to touch the indentations and imagine the saint kneeling beside the hawthorn.

Limestone rock outcrop at the base of a hawthorn bush known locally as 'St Kierans Bush' (OF039-005----) is indicated as St Kieran's Stone on the current ed. of the OS 6-inch map. At the base of the bush there is a flagstone known as St Kierans Stone with hollow depressions which according to local tradition that these are the kneeprints and handprints of St Kieran. One of the stations on the pattern held on St Kieran's day. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

St. Kieran, a 6th-century Irish monk and founder of the monastery at Clonmacnoise, is venerated in local tradition associated with the bush and stone. The site may have been used for devotional practices or healing rituals, reflecting the broader folklore of holy wells and sacred stones linked to early Christian saints in Ireland.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.