The Nine hole Stone, Offaly

 Nine hole Stone

There is a large multiple Bullaun Stone in Offaly called the Nine hole Stone. 

Curiously enough the stone actually consists of a large slab with 10 depressions in it and a small narrow channel along its length.

 

 

Up until the early 1800's it was considered to be a curing stone, each of its Bullauns curing a different ailment.

 

 

Located in the townland of Meelaghans outside Tullamore the stone is on private property so I met the owner and gained access. 

In the 1970's it is reported that the water from the Bullauns was believed to be a cure for warts however this may have been recorded in error as there is also a "Wart Stone" nearby.

 

 

The exposed face of the Nine hole Stone is almost perfectly flat and it's possible that the surrounding earth was once several feet lower which would have seen the Bullauns elevated higher and more "table" like.

 

Like all Bullaun Stones this Nine  hole Stone is a mystery and there is no way of knowing for certain what its original purpose may have been.

 

Grinding grains, nuts, paints and medicines, or collecting rain water perhaps for use in unknown rituals? 

Occasionally some Bullaun stones are known as "Cursing" or "Swearing" stones and were believed to be used in attempts to cast spells or curses. Others were believed to have been used to swear an oath of loyalty or make a promise.

 

Today most are associated with sites of veneration or devotional sites where prayers are offered. 

 They are often associated with curative properties for illness.

Some Bulluans seem to predate written history but they are difficult to put a date on or reference in time when individual stones appeared in certain areas.

 

 

Most of the Bullauns in Ireland have smooth polished depressions in them and are near perfectly circular in appearance. 

It's impossible to know their exact function but interesting to ponder and certainly the Nine hole Stone is one of the more unusual Bullaun Stones in Ireland.

The word Bullaun is ocassionaly spelled in Irish as Bulláun, Bullán and Búllán. Although widespread in Ireland they are not unique to the country and similar stones are found worldwide.

The Nine Hole Bullaun Stone is located in a small copse of trees and scrub.

Meelaghans is quite close to Tullamore and lies just across nearby railway tracks in open grassy fields. It is easy enough to find.

Keep the Wheels turning.....

Coordinates here : 

53°15'03.5"N 7°26'06.4"W
53.250976 - 7.435099

Being one of the larger and more unusual Bullauns it is well worth visiting but I'd advise checking with the landowner first.

 

 

 

 

The Ardmore Stone, Donegal

 The Ardmore Stone Donegal.

 

Perched in a field on a small hillside just outside the village of Muff in Donegal and overlooking Lough Foyle lies the Ardmore Stone, sometimes called the Ardmore Gallaun.

 

 

 

This large upright monolith is almost perfectly rectangular in shape and probably weighs at least several tons. It must have taken quite some effort to set it upright in its present position.

 

 

One face of the stone in particular is covered with simple Cup marks along with several  Cup and Ring marks and some of them are surrounded by multiple carved rings.

 

 

The markings on the stone date it to sometime in the Bronze Age so it's at least 2500 years old but probably older.

 

There are Portal Dolmens (tombs) nearby and  at one time there were many standing stones located around the area, many of which have since disappeared over time.

 

 

The collection of ancient tombs and stones located around the area attest to its historical significance as a place of continuous occupation for millennia and the close proximity to Lough Foyle would have provided for easy access by boat and also served as a source of food from the sea.

 

The townland here is called Ardmore hence the name for the stone. 

The parish area is known in Irish as Iskaheen (Eskaheen) which can be interpreted into English as clear water/pleasant water. 

Ardmore translated to English can be interpreted as meaning great height or a great plateau.

 

 

The Ardmore Stone is located in pasture on private property so my thanks go to the owner Seán for kindly allowing me access to take some photographs.

 

 

The angle of the sun made it difficult to take decent pictures and the inquisitive cattle nuzzling my bag made for unsteady shooting so the images are not great quality.

 

 

The area is a scenic gateway for further exploration of the Inishowen peninsula and further afield.

 

The Ardmore Stone itself is a beautiful relic from times past and its sheer size combined with its wonderful rock art make it very unusual and well worth a visit but do check with the landowner first for permission to access it.

 

Coordinates here : 

55°04'58.0"N 7°15'42.0"W

55.082777 - 7.261677

 

 

Dúchas.ie - On Standing Stones....

 

Database of Irish Placenames logainm.ie - Eskaheen