Standing stone in Killahugh

Situated on NE-facing slope of rising ground overlooking Rathconrath church (WM018-102002-) and graveyard (WM018-102004-) 150m to N. Rathconrath House formerly the Glebe House lies c. 220m to WSW. Not depicted on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map or the 1913 ed. OS 25-inch map. Present remains consist of a triangular-shaped (max. Wth 1.1m; max. T 0.8m) limestone slab (max. H 1.37m) set firmly into the ground with its long axis aligned NE-SW. It has a broad base and tapers irregularly to a broad point at the top. It leans at a slight angle to E. It has been used by livestock as a rubbing post and the area around its base has been eroded. A flat sub-rectangular-shaped recumbent stone lies on the ground at the base to W. This flat recumbent slab could have been part of the standing stone which at some time was split in two or may represent rock outcrop. There are small limestone outcrops to N and S of the monument. Old cultivation ridges running E-W are visible in the field. The low earthen bank of an old field boundary running NNE-SSW can be seen immediately W of the standing stone. Compiled by: Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 08 February 2019

Likely dating to the Bronze Age, the standing stone may have served as a territorial marker or ceremonial monument. Its alignment and position overlooking a church and graveyard suggest possible later associations with local Christian sites or folklore.