There is suggested to be around 30 Bullaun Stones in the immediate vicinity of Glendalough. I can find references to around 25 and I've photographed 22.
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Hence the title :
22 Bullaun Stones at Glendalough.
Bullaun Stones predate Christianity and probably even date from as far back as the Mesolithic era in Ireland.
Only recently excavated stone can be dated accurately and scientifically by reference to when light/photons last shone on it.
Some prehistoric stones have carvings or artwork which can identify them to particular times in antiquity such as the Neolithic, Bronze or Iron age periods.
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Unfortunately in the case of Ireland's Bullaun Stones they are impossible to date to an origin at any specific time period in past history.
They are primarily found in conjunction with nearby ecclesiastical settlements so it's safe to say they served a specific purpose at early Christian monasteries but this does not mean they originated from an ecclesiastical tradition.
In all probability early Bullaun Stones were likely used as vessels for grinding up different materials.
Supposition as to their use ranges from grinding medicines or inks, nuts and grains, metal ores or herbs.
These are just guesses and we will never know for sure. Perhaps they served a different use altogether.
At one time their use for and at religious practise was frowned upon by the Church as something akin to paganism so it's likely Bullaun Stones were carried across into the Christian tradition from earlier Pagan rites or uses.
They range in size and shape from as little as 20 centimetres across to several metres in the case of some larger Bullaun Stones.
They often have a single depression or "basin" but some have several basins. In a "classical" example of the Bullaun Stone the basin will be an almost perfect hemisphere in shape but this is not always the case.
At times they can be difficult to locate and remain unseen and often buried partially or completely under mud, bog or vegetation.
Some Bullaun Stones are known as "Cursing Stones" and were once used in the casting of spells or curses while others were sometimes used as "Swearing Stones" where an oath or promise was undertaken.
The water in some Bullaun Stones is also sometimes ascribed curative or healing properties and they are occasionally called "Wart Stones" where it was believed that the Water from the Bullaun could cure Warts.
Bullaun or Bullán in Irish can be interpreted to mean Bowl.
They are strange, mysterious, and completely and utterly enigmatic.
I have listed the Bullaun Stones at Glendalough with a snippet of information on each and its record number as described on the Sites and Monuments Records (SMR).
I hope you enjoy the photographs and I have piqued your interest.
Keep the wheels turning.
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WI023-066
This is a moderately sized Bullaun Stone with a single basin which looked Hemispherical to me and is described as located outside what was once the "Caretakers House."
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WI023-006003
This is an irregularly shaped Bullaun which is located in the middle of the Glendasan river perched on its side. The stone appears trapezoidal in shape and in certain light shows a beautiful golden brown hue.
Located in the flowing river water it certainly makes for one of the more unusual settings or placements for a Bullaun Stone. How it got here we will never know.
There is another Bullaun further upstream also in the middle of the river, WI023-006004.
It is only visible at low water levels and is about 15 metres away from this Stone. I have no photographs of it as yet.
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WI023-006001
This is another Bullaun Stone with a single basin. It is on the edge of the riverbank almost directly opposite the previous Stone. Irregularly shaped with a well defined basin it is easy to locate.
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I have no information on the following two Bullaun Stones. They are lying near what I think is a small Christian Retreat centre.
It's possible they have been relocated here from elsewhere in the immediate area. It's unlikely that this is their original location. They are set beside a piece of old machinery and set in a rock border. Both have a single basin.
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WI023-004002
This is an interesting Bullaun Stone. Totally covered in vegetation but once cleared it first shows as flat and almost table shaped with a single basin.
The stone on closer inspection appeared to be divided by a slight and shallow linear carved depression which divided it in two.
The photographs below show it with and without vegetative cover. Initially it had looked almost square shaped until removal of the overgrowth exposed the full extent of the Stone.
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WI023-005002 / WI023-005 / WI023-005001 / WI023-005003
There is a group of four Bullaun Stones near the previous Stone. They are referred to as the "Seven Fonts."
The group consists of two medium sized Bullaun Stones with single basins, a large and very irregular shaped Bullaun Stone with a single basin and an extremely large and unusually shaped Bullaun Stone with four basins.
This accounts for the name of the group as the "Seven Fonts."
The largest Bullaun Stone in the group has four basins but three of the basins are carved into their own little enclave in a flat rectangular carved portion of the Stone and separated from the final fourth basin.
Covered in vegetative growth the smaller of the Bullaun Stones can be difficult to locate. I've included photographs at various states of overgrowth and used red circles to indicate some of the Stones.
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In the same field are three further Bullaun Stones.
WI023-005007
This incorrectly refers to a Bullaun Stone with a single basin. This Bullaun Stone is in fact a record from Paddy Healy/1972 now marked as redundant which refers to a Bullaun Stone with two basins. WI023-005005.
The initial record by Healy was correct and the Stone was possibly partially covered in mud when it was later inspected and re-recorded as a Bullaun with a single basin.
This Bullaun Stone with two basins appears to have a shallow line carved along the Stone to one of the basins.
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WI023
This is a moderately large Bullaun Stone with a single basin. The top is wide in relation to its single basin and it is very distinct and quite flat.
Located immediately beside a small tree, a type of thorn.
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WI023-005004
Another Bullaun Stone in the same field with a single basin. It is located east or east-southeast in the field near a boundary fence and close to another small tree.
The Stone seems to have settled at a slight angle. There is another Bullaun Stone mentioned in this field but it remains unlocated and unmarked.
It is possible that there are many more Bullaun Stones hidden beneath the soil surface here.
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In another field across the road from the field of the "Seven Fonts" there are a further three Bullaun Stones one of which has two basins directly opposed to each other on the two corners of the Stone. It is quite striking and somewhat unusual.
WI023-042
This Bullaun Stone has two basins. The top is the only part of the Stone that is exposed and it is very flat in shape.
The arrangement of the basins opposing each other is very visually striking. What purpose this serves we can only guess at. The first photograph shows the Stone in an overgrown state and difficult to interpret until cleared.
Located beside the previous Bullaun Stone with two basins are the two further Bullaun Stones each with single basins.
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WI023-043 / WI023-044
These two single Bullaun Stones lie close to the previous Stone. The furthest is roughly one metre away.
From the records I cannot differentiate between 043 and 044.
One Stone appears to be a "typical" medium sized Bullaun Stone shape with a distinct basin while the other is completely irregular and elongated with a very atypical shallow basin.
All three Bullaun Stones are located very close to each other and almost with touching distance.
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WI023-008010
This Bullaun Stone has been set on its side into the North wall of the Cathedral at Glendalough inside the building and near the north east corner.
It is a bright and cheerful Bullaun Stone with a single basin in an unusual setting.
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WI023-009011
This small Bullaun Stone is set into the ground near Saint Kevin's Church which is also known as Saint Kevin's Kitchen.
It is set in the ground under luscious green grass and has some small little pebbles in it alongside the clear rainwater it collects. It is a beautiful little Stone.
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WI023-002
An unusual setting here. This Bullaun Stone is set into a Wall at a Cottage entrance in Glendalough.
The basin is very shallow and the stone is set partially into the ground making it difficult to spot.
WI023-002001 is another Stone at this location which is supposed to be located inside the gateway but the property here is private.
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WI023-011
The Deer Stone. This is probably the best known and certainly the most often seen Bullaun Stone at Glendalough. It lies near a bridge across the Glenealo river.
It is a flat topped Bullaun Stone with a single basin surrounded by other granite stones of various shapes and sizes.
Saint Kevin is reputed to have been very close to nature, wildlife and animals. There are various legends associated with the Deer Stone.
Some mention the Saint raising an orphan and needing milk to feed the child. A deer would leave milk for him in the hollow of the Deer Stone.
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WI023-003002
This Bullaun Stone is located in the ruins of Saint Mary's Church and has been inserted into the altar located there.
It is unusual among the Bullaun Stones at Glendalough where most of the Bullaun Stones are of granite rock while this Bullaun Stone is Schist.
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WI023-009008 / WI023-009061
Inside Glendalough Visitor Centre are listed the two Bullaun Stones numbered above.
One is described as a single basin and the other is described as having two basins.
The photograph below is of a Stone in the Visitor Centre I took quite some time ago however I didn't take note of its significance at the time. I assume it is Bullaun Stone WI023-009008 however I can't be sure until I get back some time to double check.
