Standing stone in Knockfennell

In pasture on the NW facing slope of Knockfennell Hill 650m NW of Lough Gur and on the N edge of a dense concentration of prehistoric monuments. Enclosure (LI032-183----) 270m to SE, standing stone (LI032-020----) 225m to ENE. Not indicated on OSi historic maps, but is visible on OSi orthoimage taken 2005-12 and Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013. The standing stone is referred to by O’Kelly (1944, 48), where he describes it as ‘a well-shaped slab of cherty limestone, 6’ 6’’ [2m] high by 2’3’’ [0.7m] wide by 6’’ [0.15m]. The top of the standing stone has a curving edge which appears to have been fashioned. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 30 October 2020

Probably dating to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, this standing stone is likely associated with ritual or funerary practices common in the Lough Gur area. Its placement near other monuments suggests it may have been part of a wider ceremonial landscape linked to ancestor veneration or territorial markers.