The La Tène Stones of Ireland

There are just four of the rare La Tène Iron age decorated stones in the Republic Ireland that I am aware of.

A further fifth stone is located at Ballymoney Museum in the North of Ireland, the Derrykeighan stone.

La Tène is a form of early central European artwork. 

It strikes me as being somewhat similar to the Viking era Scandinavian Urnes styles however I'm no expert.

The La Tène stones in Ireland are comprised of the Castlestrange Stone, the Killycluggin Stone, the Truroe Stone and the Mullaghmast Stone.

The Castlestrange Stone.

The stone has been set among smaller cobbles and is open to visitors with no restrictions on access to view it.

Unfortunately when we visited Truroe in Galway to see the Truroe Stone we soon discovered that it had been taken into the National Museum for cleaning several years previously and that the locals were still wondering when or if it was coming back.

I'm unable to verify its location at present.

Below is a reproduction of the wonderful Killycluggin Stone near where it was initially found.

The original is broken and now housed in Cavan County museum at Ballyjamesduff.

There is also a fantastic and quite wonderful outdoor reproduction of a WWI trench system and the museum is a true hidden gem deserving of a visit.

The absolutely beautiful Mullaghmast stone in the National Museum, Dublin.

It is almost a jet black colour.

Note the marks in the last picture where most likely Swords were drawn against it in Oath Swearing rituals or promises of fealty.

Mullaghmast in County Kildare was the scene of a vicious and deceitful slaughter by British troops who massacred the troublesome  leaders of the"Septs" of Laois after luring them there to Parley.

It was also much later in the 1800's the location chosen for a "monster rally" held by the "liberator", Daniel O'Connell.

Keep the wheels turning.