What is recorded here

Cathair Bhearnach, giant stronghold, flung the stone across the land to strike a rival, but it fell harmless into Lisnaboy Lower. Thade Riordan, born 1810, prayed beside it every evening until his death in 1910, treating the giant’s weapon as a neighbour rather than a monster. The hand-shaped top still catches the light, remembering the flight and the quiet man who answered it with prayer.

One of two stones (10098) recorded by Bowman (1934, 263) on M. O'Keeffe's land; '2ft 6in by 9ft 4in girth'. Broker (1937, 32) recorded stone on Michael Keeffe's land with '..shape of hand on top of it...it was thrown from Cathair Bhearnach by giant'. He also mentions that local man 'Thade Riordan (born 1810) ...used to say his prayers there every evening till his death in 1910. This was taken as a matter of course' (ibid.). Exact location not known. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Likely dating to the Late Neolithic or Bronze Age, this standing stone may have had ritual or territorial significance. The reported hand-shaped feature suggests possible symbolic or ceremonial use, though its exact meaning remains unclear.

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