Thursday, 20 May 2021

Saint Laurence O'Tooles Hand Print

Bullaun Stone

Saint Laurence O'Toole's Hand Print

Near Knickeen in the Glen of Imaal in Wicklow are two interesting Bullaun Stones.

One is known as Saint Laurence O'Toole's Hand Print while the other is unnamed and is a large multiple Bullaun Stone which was submerged under a shallow pool in a marshy area.

The multiple Bullaun has at least six and perhaps seven depressions carved into it and is quite large.

It is possible that there are even more Bullauns carved into it which are covered up at present beneath the mud and peat.

The area is close to a nearby road and is a small marsh located beside a stream.

The Bullauns were a little overgrown but not too difficult to locate.

Laurence O'Toole was Archbishop of Dublin in the 12th Century and both Laurence and the extended O'Toole family are associated with Glendalough.

I was a little surprised to find out that he is associated with an obscure Bullaun Stone at Knickeen in Wicklow.

Both the Glen of Imaal and these wonderful Bullaun Stones are worth taking the time to visit. It is an area of Wicklow which is a favourite of Hill Walkers and Ramblers alike.

The origins of Bullaun Stones are a complete mystery however most, but not all Bullaun Stones are today located close to ecclesiastical sites and ruins.

Early ecclesiastical sites would have consisted of wooden buildings which will have left no visible trace in the landscape of today.

It is also entirely possible and even quite likely that Bullaun Stones predate both history and written records and Christianity in Ireland.

If Red flags are flying in the area it is to warn potential Hill Walkers that the nearby Military Firing Ranges are in operation so proceed with caution and stay away from the Range Danger Area's.

Occasionally his name is spelled as Lawrence but on the while Laurence seems to be the generally accepted form.

Included among the hills located nearby is Lugnaquilla which at 925 metres is the tallest mountain in Wicklow and also the tallest mountain in Ireland located outside Kerry.

Also located close by and within a short walks reach is Knickeen Ogham Stone. Ogham was a system of linear slash marks that represented letters in an old Irish 20 letter alphabet. It's believed to date to around 350 C.E. but its origins may be much earlier.

It has at the present time only ever been recorded on Stone lithics both large and small.