Killinagh Cursing Stone
Just outside the village of Blacklion in County Cavan is a wonderful example of a Bullaun Stone, the Killinagh Cursing Stone.
The area is also known as Termon and lies beside Lough MacNean. It's signposted with an easily missed sign marked "Killinagh Old Graveyard and 12th Century Cemetery."
Also known as Saint Brigid's Stone this is a large multiple Bullaun stone with two smaller Bullaun stones lying alongside.
It's one of a few Bullaun stones in Ireland which have a large number of depressions carved into them and is well worth taking time out to visit. I counted at least 15 depressions in the bullaun stones here.
The Killinagh Cursing Stone is of unknown origin and may predate christianity. It was possibly used during the Iron age by Celts or Druids for some type of pagan ritual.
This is just supposition on my behalf or anyone elses for that matter. At present there is no definitive proof for the origins or purpose of Ireland's Bullauns.
These enigmatic stones are still shrouded in mystery and mystique.
The stones may also have had other uses, perhaps used as vessels for grinding
grains etc. The many Bullauns on this particular stone make that
proposition seem unlikely in this particular instance.
There are a remarkable number of depressions/sockets in the Bullaun stones at Killinagh and each socket
holds it's own little stone which would have been turned in a particular
direction as part of an ancient ritual.
Local tradition has it that the stones were used if you wanted to place a curse on your enemy although apparently the curse could backfire on the spell caster if the correct procedure wasn't followed carefully.
There is a nearby ruined Church here which has inverted heart or spade shapes carved onto two stones on an exterior wall of the Church.
I have no idea what these particular carvings represent but they are very unusual. I'm sure there must be an interesting story behind these stones in the wall though just what it is is anyone's guess.
I'm not an architect but I presume it's a late medieval Church with later additions.
There is also an overgrown circular enclosure on the site which is surrounded by a low stone wall.
Inside there are two small upright stones on the edge of the circle which look like they might have acted as some type of entrace stones. The interior of the enclosure is slightly below ground level.
It was very overgrown when I visited but still easy enough to enter and visually get some idea of the layout. The enclosure is known variously as
"Saint Brigids House" or "The Queen's Bed."
Previously it has been suggested that the enclosure may have once been an unclassified Megalithic Tomb of some type. No one can be sure of that though it is an intriguing little oasis nonetheless.
Between the ancient 12th Century Cemetery, Church ruins, unclassified enclosure and the Killinagh Cursing Stone there is every reason to visit the Cavan town of Blacklion for a pleasant day out and to see some nearby mysterious and historical artifacts.
Killinagh Cursing Stone in County Cavan is a particularly fine example of a large multiple Bullaun Stone and probably one of the nicest in Ireland. Do go and see it if you ever get the chance....
Coordinates here:
54°17'15.0"N 7°54'34.2"W
54.287509 - 7.909511
