WAKEMAN’S
HAND-BOOK OF IRISH ANTIQUITIES.
[Illustration: Knockmany Chamber (see p. 75).]
WAKEMAN’S HANDBOOK OF
IRISH ANTIQUITIES
THIRD EDITION
BY JOHN COOKE, M.A. (DUB.),
FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND;
EDITOR OF ‘MURRAY’S HANDBOOK FOR IRELAND.’
DUBLIN:
HODGES, FIGGIS, & CO., LTD.
LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
MCMIII.
_Printed by_ PONSONBY & GIBBS, _University Press, Dublin_.
PREFACE.
It was not without hesitation that I undertook, at the request of the
proprietors and publishers, the task of revising the previous edition
of this work. To enter upon the wide field of Irish archæology I
thought no easy task; but it was all the more difficult, to my mind,
from a sense of the qualifications required for revising the work of
one who was an acknowledged authority on the subject. Every student
of Irish archæology is well aware of the extent of the valuable
contributions, by pen and pencil, of the late Mr. W. F. Wakeman to
our knowledge of that subject, to the study of which he devoted the
whole of his long life. That his ‘Handbook’ so quickly grew out of
date, and that a revision was thus rendered necessary, is due, partly
to the results of the stimulus given to the students of the present
generation by the school of archæology to which he belonged; but more
especially to the work of British and European archæologists, and the
general application of the comparative method of treatment to the whole
field of archæological science.
I found on entering on the work of revision that the book required much
in the way of recension, but still more in the way of addition. While
adhering to the general plan and spirit of the book, and retaining
as much as possible of Mr. Wakeman’s work, I have made changes in
the arrangement which I thought advisable, and enlarged the scope
of the book, so that, as far as possible, it might cover the whole
of Ireland. The greater portion of the book has, in consequence,
been largely re-written and expanded throughout; and the chapters on
Burial Customs and Ogam Stones, Stone Forts, Lake-dwellings, Stone and
Bronze Ages, Early Christian Art, are practically new. I have tried,
as far as the limits of such a work would permit, to bring the book
into line with recent research at home and abroad. The chapter on
Raths and Stone Forts was written before the publication of Mr. T. J.
Westropp’s valuable work on the _Ancient Forts of Ireland_; and it
was satisfactory to me to find that in such general conclusions as, in
the present stage of our knowledge, it is possible to arrive at, I was
substantially in agreement with him.
It has been too much the custom in the past to look upon Ireland as
being especially favoured with a wealth of antiquities, Pagan and
Christian, more or less indigenous to the soil, and independent of
the successive waves of influences sweeping from the Mediterranean
littoral, and from Central Europe, ever westward and northward. Light
can be thrown on problems still unsolved only by following the more
scientific method of inquiry pursued, and by applying to them the
knowledge gained in the wider field of European research.
Much yet requires to be done in the way of scientific exploration in
Ireland; research work to be of any real value should be carried on
only under expert supervision. That so much has been accomplished in
the past is creditable to individual enterprise; but the time has
surely come, with such examples before us abroad, that all further and
extended investigation should be conducted under the superintendence of
some recognised archæological authority. An Archæological Department
is much needed in Ireland; and valuable scientific work of the kind
in question should no longer be left to the haphazard enterprise of
the amateur, however laudable that enterprise might be. Still more
is it necessary that some check should be put on such mischievous
undertakings as the exploration of Tara Hill by those absolutely
unskilled in archæological work, and for the fanciful object, too,
of discovering the ‘Ark of the Covenant’! Such ‘Remains’ as Tara are
a national possession, a great trust from the past; and the sense of
enlightened public opinion should make itself felt, in demanding such
a protective measure as would ensure that the passing custodians, for
their own day, of all like antiquities should not be allowed to injure
them with impunity.
Over sixty new illustrations have been added to the present edition of
this book. I am especially indebted to the Council of the Royal Irish
Academy for the use of a large number of illustrations in the chapters
on the Stone and Bronze Ages, Burial Customs, and Lake-dwellings;
to the Council of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, for
permission to use and reproduce several illustrations and plans; to
Colonel Wood-Martin, for the use of illustrations from his several
works on Irish Archæology; to Mr. John Murray, for the illustration
and plans of Newgrange; to Mr. Edward Stanford, for permission to
use the plan of Tara from my edition of _Murray’s Handbook for
Ireland_; to the Secretary and Board of Education (England), for the
illustration of Monasterboice High Cross; to them and to Dr. Joyce,
for the illustrations of the Chalice of Ardagh, the Cross of Cong,
and Tara Brooch; and to the Rev. Maxwell Close, for details as to the
measurements of several of the cromlechs and weights of the covering
stones; also for the photograph from which the block of Kernanstown
cromlech has been prepared. Some of the plans, and the illustrations
of the Clonmacnoise Crosses (taken from Petrie’s _Christian
Inscriptions_), are the work of Miss Ivy H. Cooke; the wood-blocks from
these have been prepared by Mrs. Watson. To my friend Mr. S. A. O.
Fitz Patrick I am again indebted for his great kindness in reading the
proof-sheets of this book.
It is hoped that it will supply the want felt by many interested in
Irish archæology--an interest evidenced by the maintenance of their
usual high standard, in the publications of the Royal Irish Academy
and the Royal Society of Antiquaries, and by the foundation in recent
years of five provincial Archæological Societies, whose excellent
publications deal more especially with their several fields of
research. My indebtedness to the publications of the two former Bodies
is apparent by references in the footnotes.
For the sake of convenience of reference, I have referred throughout to
the publications of the Kilkenny Archæological Society, later the Royal
Historical and Archæological Association, and now the Royal Society
of Antiquaries, under the last-named title, giving the year in each
instance. An Index to the whole series of their _Journal_ has just been
completed by the Society.
JOHN COOKE.
66, MOREHAMPTON ROAD, DUBLIN,
_January, 1903_.
CONTENTS
PAGE
PREFACE, v
CHAPTER I.
STONE MONUMENTS, 1
CHAPTER II.
STONE MONUMENTS--_continued_, 48
CHAPTER III.
STONE MONUMENTS--_continued_, 80
CHAPTER IV.
STONE MONUMENTS--_continued_, 108
CHAPTER V.
BURIAL CUSTOMS: OGAM STONES, 132
CHAPTER VI.
RATHS AND STONE FORTS, 159
CHAPTER VII.
THE STONE AGE, 187
CHAPTER VIII.
THE BRONZE AGE, 202
CHAPTER IX.
LAKE-DWELLINGS, 251
CHAPTER X.
ORATORIES: EARLY CHURCHES, 277
CHAPTER XI.
EARLY DECORATED CHURCHES, 308
CHAPTER XII.
CROSSES, 319
CHAPTER XIII.
ROUND TOWERS, 333
CHAPTER XIV.
EARLY CHRISTIAN ART: METAL WORK, 345
CHAPTER XV.
ABBEYS AND LATER CHURCHES: FONTS, 362
CHAPTER XVI.
CASTLES, 383
CHAPTER XVII.
TOWN GATES AND WALLS: BRIDGES, 396
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
FIG. PAGE
KNOCKMANY CHAMBER (_see_ p. 75), _Frontispiece_
1 PILLAR-STONE AT TARA, 9
2 PILLAR-STONE NEAR NEWGRANGE, 12
3 ‘TOMB OF DATHI,’ RATHCROGHAN, 14
4 HOLED-STONE AT TOBERNAVEAN, WOODVILLE, NEAR SLIGO, 18
5 HOLED-STONE AT MAINISTER, ARAN MÓR, 20
6 HOLED-STONE AT THE ‘CHURCH OF THE MEN,’ INISMURRAY, 21
7 ROCK-SCRIBINGS, MEVAGH, CO. DONEGAL, 28
8 SCRIBINGS ON SIDES OF KNOCKMORE CAVE, NEAR DERRYGONNELLY,
CO. FERMANAGH, 29
9 ‘SHIELD PATTERN’ ROCK-SCULPTURE, FROM BROUGHSHANE,
CO. ANTRIM, 31
10 ‘THE HAG’S CHAIR,’ LOUGHCREW, 39
11 ‘DRUID’S JUDGMENT SEAT,’ KILLINEY, 40
12 ANCIENT STONE, KILLINEY, 41
13 GRAIN-RUBBER, 44
14 POT-QUERN, 45
15 KERNANSTOWN CROMLECH, CARLOW, 57
16 LEGANANNY CROMLECH, CO. DOWN, 62
17 BALLYMASCANLAN CROMLECH, 63
18 SEPULCHRAL CHAMBER, PHŒNIX PARK, 64
19 CROMLECH IN HOWTH DEMESNE, 67
20 KILTERNAN CROMLECH, 68
21 MOUNT VENUS CROMLECH, 69
22 SHANGANAGH CROMLECH, 70
23 BRENNANSTOWN CROMLECH, 72
24 THE TUMULUS OF NEWGRANGE, CO. MEATH, 82
25 PLAN AND SECTION OF NEWGRANGE TUMULUS, 83
26 ENTRANCE TO THE PASSAGE LEADING TO THE GREAT CHAMBER,
NEWGRANGE, 84
27 PLAN AND SECTION OF CHAMBER IN NEWGRANGE TUMULUS, 85
28 CARVING ON A STONE AT THE WEST RECESS, 86
29 ORNAMENT ON THE ROOF OF THE EAST RECESS, 86
30 ORNAMENT ON THE ROOF OF THE EAST RECESS, 87
31 SCORING ON STONE IN WEST RECESS, 87
32 CARVED STONE IN EAST RECESS, 88
33 CARVED STONE IN EAST RECESS, 88
34 CARVED STONE ABOVE THE ENTRANCE, 89
35 TUMULUS OF DOWTH, FROM THE SOUTH, 92
36 ENTRANCE TO THE PASSAGE LEADING TO THE CHAMBER OF
DOWTH, 94
37 CARVING ON A STONE AT DOWTH, 95
38 CARVING ON A STONE AT DOWTH, 95
39 ORNAMENTED BONE-FLAKE FROM SLIEVE-NA-CALLIAGHE, 107
40 PLAN OF THE DEERPARK MONUMENT, CO. SLIGO, 109
41 CAIRN, ON CAIRN’S HILL, CO. SLIGO, 112
42 STONES OF THE CIRCLE AT NEWGRANGE, 123
43 REMAINS OF STONE CIRCLE NEAR DOWTH, 124
44 STONE CIRCLE, BALLYNOE, NEAR DOWNPATRICK, 126
45 STONE CIRCLE AT SLIEVE NA GREIDLE, CO. DOWN, 127
46 BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF CALLERNISH CIRCLE AND LINES, 130
47 CINERARY URN FROM ONE MAN’S CAIRN, NEAR MOYTURA, 144
48 CINERARY URN FROM CO. CARLOW, 145
49 CINERARY URN, CO. WICKLOW, 146
50 CINERARY URN, CO. CAVAN, 146
51 URNS FROM CO. DOWN, 147
52 FOOD-VESSEL FROM CIST IN THE PHŒNIX PARK, DUBLIN, 148
53 SMALL CINERARY URN, CO. CARLOW, 148
54 FOOD-VESSEL FROM GRAVE NEAR BALLYMOTE, CO. SLIGO, 149
55 OGAM STONE (CO. KERRY) IN TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, 152
56 OGAM STONE, MONATAGGART, CO. CORK, 154
57 PLAN OF SOUTERRAIN, GURTEEN RATH, NEAR MULLINGAR, 164
58 PLAN OF TARA, 166
59 THE FORRADH, TARA, 167
60 RATH OF DOWNPATRICK, 170
61 STAIGUE FORT, CO. KERRY, 173
62 DUNAMOE FORT, CO. MAYO, 180
63 THE ‘SCHOOL HOUSE’ (BEE-HIVE HUT), INISMURRAY, 181
64 SECTION OF AN ORDINARY UNDERGROUND BEE-HIVE-SHAPED
HUT, 182
65 SPEAR- OR JAVELIN-HEAD, 190
66 SPEAR-HEAD--SCALE, TWO-THIRDS, 190
67 LEAF-SHAPED ARROW-HEADS, 192
68 TRIANGULAR ARROW-HEADS--FIRST TYPE, 192
69 TRIANGULAR ARROW-HEADS--SECOND TYPE, 193
70 VARIOUS TYPES OF STEMMED ARROW-HEADS, 193
71 MOUNTED ARROW-HEAD, 194
72 FLINT KNIFE, 195
73 POLISHED CELT OF FELSTONE--SCALE, TWO-THIRDS, 197
74 VARIOUS TYPES OF STONE CELTS--SCALE, ONE-EIGHTH, 198
75 MOUNTED CELT, 198
76 SUPPOSED CHAMPION-STONE FOR CASTING, 199
77 PERFORATED AXE-HAMMERS OF STONE, 200
78 PERFORATED STONE AXE-HAMMERS, 201
79 FLAT BRONZE CELT, 207
80 CELT WITH LUNETTE-SHAPED EDGE AND RECURVED POINTS, 207
81 FLAT AND FLANGED CELTS WITH STOP-RIDGES, 208
82 WINGED OR FLANGED CELTS, 208
83 DOUBLE-LOOPED FLANGED CELT WITH STOP-RIDGE, 209
84 LOOPED CELT WITH ORIGINAL HANDLE, 209
85 VARIETIES OF LOOPED SOCKETED CELTS, 211
86 CELT MOULD, CO. LEITRIM, 212
87 CELT MOULD, CO. DOWN, 212
88 VARIETIES OF BRONZE SWORDS FOUND IN IRELAND, 214
89 DAGGER HAFTED WITH BRONZE, 216
90 UPPER AND LOWER PORTIONS OF SWORD-SHEATH OF BRONZE
FROM LISNACROGHERA (NOW IN THE GRAINGER COLLECTION), 219
91 UPPER AND LOWER PORTIONS OF SWORD-SHEATH OF BRONZE
FROM LISNACROGHERA (NOW IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM), 220
92 UPPER AND LOWER PORTIONS OF SWORD-SHEATH OF BRONZE
FROM LISNACROGHERA (NOW IN GRAINGER COLLECTION), 220
93 VARIETIES OF SPEAR-HEADS OF BRONZE, 223
94 ORNAMENTS ON SPEAR-HEADS, 225
95 BUTT MOUNTING OF CRANNOG SPEAR-SHAFT, 226
96 BRONZE SHIELD FROM LOUGH GUR, 228
97 BRONZE BRIDLE-BITS, 231
98 TRAPPINGS OF BRONZE, CALLED ‘HEAD-STALLS,’ FOUND WITH
BRONZE BRIDLE-BITS, 232
99 BRONZE CALDRON, ACADEMY COLLECTION, 233
100 BRONZE DISH FROM CLOONFINLOUGH CRANNOG, CO. ROSCOMMON, 235
101 BRONZE TRUMPETS, ACADEMY COLLECTION, NATIONAL MUSEUM, 236
102 DISC AND PENANNULAR TYPES OF RING-PINS, 238
103 BRONZE FIBULA, 239
104 BRONZE HINGE-BROOCH, 239
105 BRONZE ARMLETS, 240
106 GOLD TORQUES, ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY COLLECTION, 244
107 GOLD LUNETTE, OR MIN, ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY COLLECTION, 246
108 GOLD TIARA, OR DIADEM, ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY COLLECTION, 247
109 GOLD FIBULA, TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, 248
110 LAKE-DWELLINGS IN LOUGH EYES, CO. FERMANAGH, 253
111 BONE PINS, &C., FROM LAKE-DWELLINGS IN COUNTIES SLIGO,
LEITRIM, AND ROSCOMMON, 260
112 GLASS BEADS FROM LAKE-DWELLINGS, 261
113 COMB FROM LAGORE LAKE-DWELLING, 261
114 COMB FROM BALLINDERRY LAKE-DWELLING, 261
115 COMB (RESTORED) FROM ARDAKILLIN LAKE-DWELLING, 262
116 SECTION OF ARDAKILLIN LAKE-DWELLING, CO. ROSCOMMON, 262
117 COOKING-VESSEL FROM LOUGH EYES, CO. FERMANAGH, 273
118 HORN DRINKING-CUP, 274
119 WOODEN METHER, OR DRINKING-CUP, 274
120 ‘DUG-OUTS,’ OR CANOES, 275
121 CLOCHAUN NA CARRIAGE, ARAN ISLAND, 278
122 PLAN OF MONASTIC SETTLEMENT, SKELLIG MICHAEL, 280
123 THE GREAT SKELLIG, OR SKELLIG MICHAEL, 281
124 BEE-HIVE CELLS, SKELLIG MICHAEL, 281
125 ORATORY OF KILMALKEDAR, 283
126 BEE-HIVE HOUSE, ON BISHOP’S ISLAND, NEAR KILKEE, 284
127 ST. SENAN’S ORATORY, ON BISHOP’S ISLAND, NEAR KILKEE, 285
128 PLAN OF CASHEL AND MONASTIC SETTLEMENT, INISMURRAY, 287
129 DOORWAY, CHURCH OF ST. COLMAN MAC DUACH, ARAN ISLAND, 289
130 WINDOW, TEAMPULL CEANANNACH, OR KILCANANAGH, ARAN, 290
131 WINDOW, TERMONCRONAN, CO. CLARE, 291
132 CHANCEL ARCH OF THE OLD CHURCH OF KILLINEY, CO. DUBLIN, 293
133 DOORWAY IN KILLINEY CHURCH, CO. DUBLIN, 294
134 POINTED DOORWAY IN KILLINEY CHURCH, 294
135 ST. MAC DARA’S CHURCH, 296
136 DOORWAY OF THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY, GLENDALOUGH, 299
137 CHANCEL ARCH, TRINITY CHURCH, GLENDALOUGH, 302
138 ST. COLUMBA’S HOUSE AT KELLS, CO. MEATH, 305
139 WINDOW IN ST. COLUMBA’S HOUSE (FROM THE INTERIOR), 306
140 CAPITALS AT KILLESHIN, 311
141 CAPITALS AT KILLESHIN, 311
142 WINDOW AT KILLESHIN, 312
143 THE ROCK OF CASHEL, 313
144 INTERIOR VIEW OF KING CORMAC’S CHAPEL, 314
145 DOORWAY AT FRESHFORD, CO. KILKENNY, 317
146 EARLY CROSSES ON SEPULCHRAL SLABS AT CLONMACNOISE, 320
147 CROSS ON SLAB, CLONMACNOISE, 321
148 CROSS ON SLAB, CLONMACNOISE, 322
149 CROSS ON SLAB, CLONMACNOISE, 322
150 GREAT CROSS OF MONASTERBOICE, 324
151 ORNAMENT BENEATH ARM OF THE GREAT CROSS, MONASTERBOICE, 325
152 CROSS OF MUIREDACH, SOMETIMES CALLED THE SMALLER CROSS,
MONASTERBOICE, 326
153 PORTION OF THE SCULPTURE ON THE CROSS OF MUIREDACH, 327
154 BOSS OF THE THIRD CROSS, MONASTERBOICE, 329
155 INSCRIBED TOMBSTONE, INISCALTRA, 330
156 PLAN OF CEMETERY, KILNASAGGART, NEAR JONESBOROUGH,
CO. ARMAGH, 331
157 DOORWAY, ROUND TOWER, GLENDALOUGH, 336
158 CROSS OVER THE DOORWAY OF ANTRIM TOWER, 337
159 DOORWAY, DONAGHMORE TOWER, CO. MEATH, 337
160 WINDOW, ROUND TOWER, CASHEL, 338
161 CLONDALKIN ROUND TOWER, 339
162 DOORWAY OF CLONDALKIN TOWER, 340
163 DOORWAY OF KILDARE TOWER, 342
164 ROUND TOWER, DEVENISH, 343
165 BELL OF CHUMASCACH MAC AILELLO, 348
166 THE CROSS OF CONG, 354
167 CHALICE OF ARDAGH, 357
168 THE TARA BROOCH, 360
169 NEWTOWNTRIM ABBEY, CO. MEATH, 367
170 BECTIVE ABBEY, NEAR TRIM, CO. MEATH, 369
171 CHOIR ARCH OF CANNISTOWN CHURCH, 371
172 ST. DOULOUGH’S CHURCH, CO. DUBLIN, 373
173 ST. DOULOUGH’S WELL, 375
174 KILCARN FONT, CO. MEATH, 380
175 KILCARN FONT--NO. 1, 381
176 KILCARN FONT--NO. 2, 381
177 KILCARN FONT--NO. 3, 382
178 KILCARN FONT--NO. 4, 382
179 MALAHIDE CASTLE, CO. DUBLIN, 385
180 CASTLE OF TRIM, CO. MEATH, 387
181 SCURLOUGHSTOWN CASTLE, 393
182 BULLOCK CASTLE, NEAR KINGSTOWN, CO. DUBLIN, 394
183 ST. LAURENCE’S GATE, DROGHEDA, 397
184 THE WEST GATE, DROGHEDA, 398
185 THE ‘SHEEP’ GATE AND YELLOW STEEPLE, TRIM, CO. MEATH, 399
HANDBOOK OF IRISH ANTIQUITIES
CHAPTER I
STONE MONUMENTS.
INTRODUCTION--PILLAR-STONES--HOLED-STONES--ROCK SCRIBINGS AND CUP
MARKINGS--ROCKING-STONES--DRUIDS’ CHAIRS OR SEATS--BULLÁN-STONES.
Ireland is, perhaps, more remarkable than any other country in the
West of Europe for the number, the variety, and, it may be said, the
_nationality_ of its antiquarian remains. An archæologist upon arriving
in Dublin will find, within ready access of that city, examples, many
of them in a fine state of preservation, of almost every structure
of archæological interest to be met with in any part of the kingdom.
Sepulchral tumuli--several of which, in point of rude magnificence,
are admitted to be unrivalled in Europe--cromlechs, pillar-stones,
cairns, stone circles, and other remains of the earliest archæological
periods in Ireland, lie within a journey of a couple of hours of the
metropolis. The cromlechs of Howth, Kilternan, Shanganagh, Mount Venus,
Hollypark, Shankill, and Brennanstown (Glen Druid) are within easy
reach of the suburbs of Dublin. The county has several round towers,
and many churches of a very primitive type. An hour’s journey by the
Great Northern Railway to Drogheda, with a car drive of about twenty
miles, affords not only an opportunity of seeing the great prehistoric
remains of Newgrange, but of viewing at Monasterboice, amongst other
remains, two crosses, which are amongst the finest in Christendom. In
the National Museum, Dublin, will be found the Royal Irish Academy
collection of weapons and implements of the New Stone and Bronze
periods, gold ornaments, crannog remains, Ogam stones, and relics of
early Christian Art, which, we think it is not too much to say, is one
of the finest and most representative that any country in Europe can
show.
Irish Antiquarian remains may be generally classified under three
heads:--I. Prehistoric, embracing those which are considered to have
existed previous to, or within a limited period after, the introduction
of Christianity in the fifth century; II. The Early Christian; and III.
The Anglo-Irish.
The Prehistoric remains consist of cromlechs, pillar-stones, cairns,
stone circles, tumuli, raths, stone forts, beehive huts, rock-markings,
weapons, &c. They are found in considerable numbers particularly in
the more remote parts of the island, where they have been suffered to
remain, many more or less unmolested, save by the hand of time.
Early Christian remains are very numerous, and consist of oratories,
churches, round towers, Ogam stones, and crosses. Of the early churches
of Ireland--structures of a period when the ‘Scotish (Irish) monkes in
Ireland and Britaine highly excelled in their holinesse and learning,
_yea, sent forth whole flockes of most devout men into all parts of
Europe_’[1]--there are examples in a sufficient state of preservation
to give a good idea of architecture, in what may be considered its
second stage in Ireland.
The remains of what may be termed ‘Anglo-Irish’ structures were
erected about the period of the English invasion, and although of
Irish foundation, they appear generally to have been built upon
Anglo-Norman or English models. The great barons who, in the time of
Henry the Second, or of his immediate successors, received grants of
land from the Crown, erected fortresses of considerable strength and
extent, in order to preserve their possessions from the inroads of
the native Irish, with whom they were usually at war. The castles of
Howth, Malahide, Maynooth, Trim, Carlow, and many others, are silent
witnesses to the fact that the early invaders were occasionally obliged
to place some faith in the efficacy of strong walls and towers to
resist the advances of their restless neighbours, who, for several
centuries subsequent to the Invasion, were rather the levellers than
the builders of castles. Of the massive square keep, so common in
every part of the kingdom, but especially within the English Pale,
the Dublin neighbourhood furnishes several examples. As, except in
some minor details, they usually bear a great resemblance to each
other, an inspection of one or two will afford a just idea of all.
They were generally used as the residence of a chieftain, or as an
outpost dependent upon some larger fortress in the neighbourhood. Many
appear to have been erected by English settlers, and they are usually
furnished with a bawn, or enclosure, into which cattle were driven at
night, a precaution very significant of the times.
The abbeys, though frequently of considerable extent and magnificence,
are in general more remarkable for the simple grandeur of their
proportions. The finest exhibit many characteristics of Transition
style; but Early Pointed is also found, and in great purity. There are
in Ireland but few very notable examples of the succeeding styles.
Decoration, indeed, was not so much desired as strength and security;
and we do not require the testimony of the ‘Irish Annals’ to show that
the church buildings had occasionally to stand upon their defence: the
bartizans surmounting the doorways of some, and the crenellated walls
of many, are sufficient evidence of this.
There are certain antiquities which cannot well be classed with the
remains referred to in the three preceding headings. Many of the
lake-dwellings, or crannogs, for instance, are believed, with good
reason, to have been in use even in pagan times in Ireland; some of
these artificial islets were used in mediæval times, and several are
recorded to have been occupied as places of human habitation so late as
the seventeenth century. It would, therefore, be hazardous to classify
them with either pagan or Christian remains, and it is certain that
they are not Anglo-Irish. A description of these will, however, be
given in a subsequent chapter.
_Pillar-stones_ or _Dallans_ are found in many parts of Ireland, and
particularly in districts where stone circles, cairns, and cromlechs
occur. They are usually rough monoliths, and evidently owe their
upright position, not to accident, but to the design and labour of
a primitive people. They are usually called by the native Irish,
‘Gallauns’ or ‘Leaghauns,’ and in character they are precisely similar
to the hoar-stone of England, the hare-stane of Scotland, the maen-qwyr
of Wales, and the Continental menhir.
Many theories have been advanced with respect to their origin. They are
variously supposed to have been idol-stones, to have been erected as
landmarks, and as monumental stones recording the scene of a battle,
or the spot upon which a warrior had fallen. The name ‘cat-stone,’ by
which some examples are known in Scotland, would well warrant such an
idea, the word ‘cath’ in the Gaelic language signifying a battle. At
either end of the historic ford over the river Erne, at Ballyshannon,
may be seen two remarkable examples--to that on the northern side other
stones would seem to lead. This is a significant fact in favour of the
landmark theory. At the same time, we learn from the later writers
of the life and labours of St. Patrick in Ireland, that he found the
people worshipping certain idols in the form of stone pillars, some
of which he caused to be overthrown, while upon one purposely left
standing he inscribed the name of Jesus. There can be little doubt that
the saint and his immediate followers, in their horror of all that was
idolatrous, destroyed a large number of the pillar-stones which had
been venerated and worshipped in pagan Ireland; but, nevertheless,
a considerable number still remain. These, in some instances, would
seem to have been consecrated to the Faith, and from having been idols
were transformed into memorials of the triumph of Christianity. We
are not without satisfactory evidence of such adaptation having been
effected. Several, and apparently the oldest, lithic monuments may be
observed rudely punched, not carved, with the figure of a primitive
cross, accompanied by one or other of the inscriptions DNI, DNO, or
DOM. Todd, in his _Life of St. Patrick_, has, we believe, conclusively
shown the generally received idea of the sudden, and, it may be said,
miraculous conversion of Ireland in the days of the saint, and in
those of his immediate successors, to be wholly erroneous. Pagan
practices and beliefs long remained, and to-day many myths, legends,
and superstitions attest, as dying remnants, how deeply rooted were the
‘elder faiths.’
The Pillar-stone is the simplest form of all memorials; it is found in
other countries in connection with ancient burial mounds or barrows.
Such memorials to a departed hero, chief, or monarch were not confined
to savage peoples, for the custom has descended through all stages of
civilization, and the commemorative use of the pillar-stone is frequent
in biblical history. Ancient Egypt furnishes notable examples of
monoliths such as Cleopatra’s Needle; while the metropolis of Ireland,
not to mention other cities, exhibits stupendous pillar monuments
showing the ‘hero-worship’ of our forefathers, to the dead leaders
Wellington and Nelson.
In several parts of the country the gallaun is still considered by
many of the people to be something weird, and, ‘to be let alone.’ The
late E. A. Conwell, in his work on the supposed tomb of Ollamh Fodhla,
points out that, about two miles north-west of Oldcastle, there is a
townland called Fearan-na-gcloch (from _fearan_, land, and _cloch_,
a stone), so called from two remarkable stone flags, still to be
seen standing in it, popularly called Clocha labartha, the ‘Speaking
stones’: and the green pasture-field in which they are situated is
called Pairc-na-gclochalabartha, the ‘Field of the speaking stones.’
‘There can be little doubt,’ he proceeds, ‘the pagan rites of
incantation and divination had been practised at these stones, as
their very name, so curiously handed down to us, imports; for, in the
traditions of the neighbourhood, it is even yet current that they have
been consulted in cases where either man or beast was supposed to
have been “overlooked”; that they were infallibly effective in curing
the consequences of the “evil eye”; and that they were deemed to be
unerring in naming the individual through whom these evil consequences
came. Even up to a period not very remote, when anything happened to be
lost or stolen, these stones were invariably consulted; and in cases
where cattle, &c., had strayed away, the directions they gave for
finding them were considered as certain to lead to the desired result.
There was one peremptory inhibition, however, to be scrupulously
observed in consulting these stones, viz. that they were _never_ to
be asked to give the same information a second time, as they, under
no circumstances whatever, would repeat an answer.’ These conditions
having, about seventy or eighty years ago, been violated by an ignorant
inquirer who came from a distance, the ‘speaking stones’ became
dumb, and have so remained ever since. There were originally four of
these stones: of the two that remain, the larger may be described as
consisting of a thin slab of laminated sandy grit. Its dimensions are
as follows: total height above ground, very nearly 7 feet; extreme
breadth, 5 feet 8 inches; breadth near summit, 3 feet 6 inches; average
thickness, about 8 inches. In no part does it exhibit the mark of a
chisel or hammer. The height of the second remaining stone, above the
present level of the ground, is 6 feet 4 inches; it is in breadth, at
base, 3 feet 4 inches, and near the top 1 foot more; thickness at base,
14 inches. The material, unlike that found in the generality of such
monuments, is blue limestone.
[Illustration: Pillar-stone at Tara.]
Perhaps the most noted example of the pillar-stone, as found in
Ireland, occurs on the celebrated Hill of Tara, Co. Meath. This
interesting monument at present occupies a position in the centre of
the _Forradh_, one of the principal earthworks still remaining on
that memorable site. The stone formerly stood upon, or rather by the
side of, a small mound lying within the enclosure of Rath-na-Riagh,
and called Dumha-na-nGiall, or the ‘Mound of the hostages.’ In 1824
it was placed in its present position, to mark the grave of some men
who were slain in 1798 in an encounter with the king’s troops. It was
suggested by George Petrie that this pillar, or menhir, was no other
than the celebrated _Lia Fail_, or ‘Stone of Destiny,’ upon which,
during many ages, the monarchs of Ireland were crowned, and which,
according to the early bardic accounts, ‘roared’ beneath them at
their inauguration. The Coronation Stone at Westminster was generally
supposed to have been removed from Ireland to Scotland, in the
beginning of the sixth century, for the coronation of Fergus Mac Earc,
a prince of the blood-royal of Ireland, there having been a prophecy
that in whatever country this famous stone was preserved, a king of
the Scotic race should reign. In the MSS. to which Petrie refers, one
of which is probably of the tenth century, the stone is mentioned as
still existing at Tara; and ‘it is,’ he writes, ‘an interesting fact,
that a large obeliscal pillar-stone, in a prostrate position, occupied
till a recent period the very situation on the hill pointed out as the
place of the Lia Fail by the Irish writers of the tenth, eleventh, and
twelfth centuries.’ After remarking upon the want of agreement between
the Irish and Scottish accounts of the history of the Lia Fail, and on
the questionable character of the evidence upon which the story of its
removal from Ireland rests, he further observes: ‘That it is in the
highest degree improbable, that, to gratify the desire of a colony,
the Irish would have voluntarily parted with a monument so venerable
for its antiquity, and deemed essential to the legitimate succession
of their own kings.’ We cannot here enter into a discussion of this
question, in which numerous conflicting traditions are involved. The
removal of the Coronation Stone from Tara to Scotland is now generally
admitted. The use of the present pillar-stone at Tara for the purpose
of inauguration has not been established: its very shape is strongly
presumptive against any such theory, as the custom usually was for the
king or chief to stand upon the stone. That the monument is an original
relic, raised for some memorial use, may reasonably be accepted.
Some of our finest and perhaps oldest pillar-stones bear cup-and-circle
markings, similar to those found upon the face of undisturbed rocks
in various parts of Ireland, Britain, the European Continent, and
other parts of the world. A very remarkable example occurs at Muff,
about five miles from Londonderry. This stone, which stood 8 ft. in
height, and measured 4 ft. 6 ins. across at the base, by 2 ft. 6 ins.
in thickness, was on one of its faces covered with cup-and-circle
markings, some of which exhibited the central channels which appear on
the rock sculptures in Kerry. This was examined by the late Rev. James
Graves, who wrote: ‘Where the soil had covered the base, two of the
cups, with their concentric circles, were very plain and unworn; but
the water trickling from a hollow on the top of the stone, had injured
some of those above. Excavations were made to a depth of four feet
round its base, but no trace of interment, or relic of any kind, was
discovered. Close to the stone was found a kind of bone earth, or soil
mixed with minute fragments of bone, apparently not human, but from
their minute and decomposed state identification was impossible.’[2]
Mr. G. H. Kinahan, in pages of the _Journal_ here referred to,
figures and describes a remarkable pillar-stone which he found near
Kilmacrenan, Co. Donegal. In this instance four of the cups are so
arranged that the channels extending from them form a perfect cross
of the Roman character.[3] Here the likeness to the Christian symbol
cannot be considered other than accidental. A device, almost precisely
similar, is found upon a rude stone monument in Scotland; and we know
that upon the bases of some of the cinerary urns, formed of baked clay,
discovered in cists in Ireland, and found to contain calcined human
bones, flint arrow-heads, and bone implements, a cruciform ornament
may be noticed. This, at least as so placed, cannot be considered a
Christian symbol.
Several pillar-stones yet _in situ_, and a great many others overthrown
or removed, present Ogam inscriptions, a subject that will be found
treated of in a subsequent chapter. Immediately near Kesh, a station on
the railway line between Enniskillen and Bundoran, occur a cairn, an
earthen sepulchral mound, and a pillar-stone of great size. The latter,
upon its south-western angle, bore a legend in Ogam characters, which
some years ago, when an expert from the south was expected to come and
examine it, was, by a local worthy, whose intentions were no doubt
laudable, so scraped, cleaned, and ‘improved,’ that little trace of the
inscription remained.
Of the ordinary plain gallaun, or pillar-stone, the annexed
illustration, representing one of several remaining in the vicinity
of the tumulus of Newgrange (hereafter to be noticed), will afford a
good idea. It measures 10 feet in height, and in circumference 17. A
similar monolith, in the village of Ballynacraig, _i e._ ‘Rock town,’
to which it probably gave its name, about half a mile from Newgrange,
measures 24 feet in girth, but its present height above ground is only
about 6 feet. There are monuments of a similar class in the valley of
Glenasmole, ‘Valley of the thrushes,’ beyond Rathfarnham, about five
and a half miles from Dublin.
[Illustration: Pillar-stone near Newgrange.]
Some of these remains, whether monuments, boundary stones, or idols,
appear to have been known by particular names, as, for instance, a
fine example standing, amongst a group of megalithic structures,
in the sandhills of Finner, a wild district lying towards the sea,
between Ballyshannon and Bundoran. It is called ‘Fleatuch,’ and what
that appellation means we have failed to ascertain. Nor were we more
successful in a search after the significance of ‘Eglone,’ the name by
which a boulder near Highwood, rising 18 feet in height, and measuring
on two sides 7 feet 6 inches, and 11 feet 6 inches on the others,
is known amongst the peasantry of Moytura, Co. Sligo. This massive
monolith stands perfectly upright, is rudely symmetrical in form, and
has the appearance of a pillar-stone. It is in all probability by the
agency of ice that this mass of grey magnesian limestone was torn from
its natural bed and deposited as we now find it. No legendary tale
concerning the ‘Eglone’ at present remains, but the stone, or rather
rock, is regarded by many of the neighbouring people as possessed
of mysterious attributes, of some kind or other, which they cannot
explain: it may have been an idol. At a place called Keimaneigh, the
fine mountain pass between Macroom and Bantry, is a true pillar-stone,
which is supposed by natives of the locality to represent a woman who,
for her numerous sins and scorn of repentance, had been thus petrified
by St. Fiachna in the sixth century. The pillar, which is about 6 feet
high, bears a rude resemblance to a female human figure; hence, no
doubt, the origin of the legend.
Of the hundreds of pillar-stones remaining in Ireland the great
majority are prehistoric. The date of one example, however, has been
satisfactorily settled. Cruachan, or Rathcrogan, situated about five
miles from Carrick-on-Shannon, consists of a stone ditch, circular
in form, but greatly defaced. ‘Within this,’ writes George Petrie,
‘are small circular mounds, which, when examined, are found to cover
rude sepulchral chambers formed of stone, without cement of any
kind, and containing unburnt bones.’ Outside the rath, or enclosure,
in the centre of a small tumulus, is a pillar, referred to in the
following notice of it by Duald Mac Firbis: ‘The body of Dathi was
brought to Cruachan, and was interred at Relig-na-Riogh, where most
of the kings of the race of Heremon were buried, and where to this
date the red pillar-stone remains on a stone monument over his grave,
near Rath-Cruachan, to this time (1666).’[4] Dathi was the last pagan
monarch of the Milesian race. He died in the beginning of the fifth
century from the effects of lightning while leading his army on a
continental raid. The scene of his death was in the neighbourhood of
the Alps.
[Illustration: ‘Tomb of Dathi,’ Rathcroghan.]
* * * * *
_Holed-stones._--Perforated stones, very similar to the ordinary
pillar-stone, are found in many parts of Ireland, Scotland, France,
and, as appears from Wilford’s _Asiatic Researches_, in India. Abroad,
as well as at home, their origin has been a matter of much speculation,
and it is not likely that any definite solution can ever be arrived
at. Colonel Wood-Martin, speaking on the subject, says:--‘The original
purpose for which the larger apertures were utilised seems to have
been a literal as well as a symbolic means whereby an ailment, disease,
or sin might be left behind or got rid of, also as a symbol by which a
compact could be ratified, or an oath taken, by a well-known and public
act. The postulants, at first, probably crawled through the orifice;
then when it, through change in custom, became diminished in size,
they probably passed a hand, or if a compact was to be made, clasped
hands through it.’[5] Wilford[6] states that perforated stones are not
uncommon in India, and devout people pass through them when the opening
will admit, in order to be _regenerated_. If the hole be too small,
they put the hand or foot through it, and with a sufficient degree of
faith it answers nearly the same purpose.
In Ireland they are generally associated with prehistoric remains,
and are occasionally found in connection with church buildings of the
earliest type. It is probable that, dating from prehistoric ages, they
were in time pressed, as it were, like the holy wells, into association
with Christian rites. The following are some of the many places
where holed-stones may be found in connection with our old churches:
Kilmalkedar, Co. Kerry; Castledermot, Co. Kildare; Inismurray, Co.
Sligo; Roscam, near Galway; Mainister, on Aran Mór, Co. Galway; Layde,
Co. Antrim; Holy Island, Lough Derg; Glendalough; and on the Island of
Devenish in Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh.
We have perhaps lived beyond the age when legends referring to this
class of monument were still generally current. The virtue of the
Kilmalkedar stone was some fifty years ago equal in repute to that
conceded to the Stennis example, and even, in some respects, superior;
for, it was further firmly believed by many of the old inhabitants
of Kerry, that persons afflicted with chronic rheumatism, ‘falling
sickness,’ or some other ills, might, by passing three times round
it (with faith, and by the offering of certain prayers), be restored
to health. In the parish of Aghade, Co. Carlow, is a stone called
Cloghafoyle, the ‘Stone of the hole.’ ‘It projects in a semi-recumbent
position 7 feet 6 inches above ground, is 5 feet 8 inches in width,
1 foot 6 inches in its thickest part, and is pierced--nearly equally
distant from the sides and top--with a round hole 11½ inches in
diameter. Formerly children were passed through this aperture, either
as a cure for, or a preventive against, the malady called rickets.’[7]
A similar custom, as Colonel Wood-Martin points out, was observed at
St. Madron’s well in Cornwall, Minchen Hampton in Gloucestershire, and
Fyvie in Aberdeenshire.[8] A famous stone exists on Ardmore Strand,
Co. Waterford, beneath which pilgrims on St. Declan’s day (22nd Dec.)
crawled on completing their devotions.
The most celebrated holed-stone in the British Isles is doubtless that
of Stennis, near Kirkwall in Orkney. It has been rendered famous in
his tale of _The Pirate_, by Sir Walter Scott. Fergusson, in his _Rude
Stone Monuments_, says--‘It is quite certain that the oath to Woden
or Odin was sworn by persons joining their hands through the hole in
this ringstone, and that an oath so taken, although by Christians, was
deemed solemn and binding’ (page 255). This ceremony was held so very
sacred that anyone breaking it was accounted infamous and a party to
be shunned. In his _Journey to the Orkney Islands_ (1781), Principal
Gordon gives the following anecdote: ‘The young man was called before
the session, and the elders were particularly severe. Being asked by
the minister the cause of so much severity, they answered, “You do
not know what a bad man this is; he has broken the promise of Odin,”
and further explained that the contracting parties had joined hands
through the hole in the stone.’ All this does not serve to indicate the
original character of the Stennis monument. That it was at one time
sacred to Odin, or Woden, and reverenced by pagan northmen and their
successors, perhaps for many generations, and that even Christians
used the stone on certain solemn occasions, is no doubt interesting.
The Scandinavian occupiers of Orkney may have, as it were, adopted a
pillar-stone which they found associated with old-world customs and
memories, dedicated it to Odin, and sealed their oaths upon it.
[Illustration: Holed-stone at Tobernavean, Woodville, near Sligo.]
Few who have paid even passing attention to the subject of Irish
antiquities, recognising the fact that several holed-stones,
bearing apertures of considerable size, and found in the immediate
neighbourhood of remains universally acknowledged to belong to
prehistoric days, will assume, we think, that the former do not partake
of the same primeval character as cromlechs, stone circles, and
cairns. Fergusson was mistaken in stating that there is no proof of
a holed-stone being used in any Celtic cemetery for purposes similar
to those practised at the Stennis example. Unquestionably some of
the holed-stones are of doubtful character, inasmuch as they may be
classified either as prehistoric, or belonging to an early period of
Christianity. We may perhaps assign to one of the finest monuments of
this class remaining in Ireland a degree of antiquity equal at least to
that acknowledged to be possessed by the cromlechs, circles, and other
megaliths of Carrowmore, immediately adjoining. Of this stone Colonel
Wood-Martin, in _Rude Stone Monuments in Sligo_, gives the following
description: ‘It marks the point of junction of the three parishes of
the district formerly, and still by the country people, designated
Cuil-Irra. This boundary mark is a thin limestone flag, set on edge;
it is 9 feet in height and 10 feet in breadth above ground. The little
stream which issues from Tobernavean, or Tobar-na-bhFian, the “Well
of the warriors,” laves its base, which must be deeply buried in the
earth. Toward the east side this flagstone is pierced by a squarish, or
rather an oblong, perforation, 3 feet in length by 2 feet in breadth.
From its mottled appearance this slab is popularly called Cloch-bhreac,
or the “Speckled stone”; also Cloch-lia, or the “Gray stone”’ (page 99).
Another example, standing upwards of five feet in height above the
level of the ground, with a round hole sufficiently large to admit the
hand, may be seen upon an eminence in the immediate vicinity of Doagh,
a village in the county of Antrim. In the same district, on a hill near
Cushendall, a second fine holed-stone until lately existed. Probably
one of the most curious monuments of the class under notice, in
Ireland, formerly stood in the early Christian cemetery of Inniskeen,
close to the cloictheach, or round tower, Co. Monaghan. This relic,
which was of porphyry, had an aperture through it sufficiently large
to admit the insertion of a full-sized human arm. In modern times it
was the custom at Easter to fix in the stone a pole, up which the
neighbouring young people used to climb for a prize. The stone is
said to have been formerly used for superstitious purposes, but no
particulars of the rites or customs once practised have been handed
down.
[Illustration: Holed-stone at Mainister, Aran Mór.]
The holed-stone of Castledermot is a very remarkable one, and the
following particulars are from a description of it by Lord Walter
FitzGerald: ‘It stands at the head of a modern grave in the south-east
side of the churchyard, and is known locally as the “swearing-stone.”
It is 3 feet long, 1 foot 2 inches wide, and 5½ inches thick. The
hole is at the junction of the arms of a ringed cross, and measures
5 inches in diameter. The cross, which is much worn, was mistaken by
Vallancey for Ogam scores, and his misrepresentation was copied by
subsequent writers.’[9] It is probable that the holed-stones found in
connection with church buildings date from ante-Christian times, and
were consecrated by the emblem of the cross to the religious services
of a people recently won to Christianity, but who still possessed some
lingering reverence for the idols of their forefathers.
The holed-stone at Mainister on Aran Island stands 3½ feet above
ground, and the hole is 2 inches wide. It is curiously incised with a
double circle and ringed cross, the top of the latter ending in small
spiral pattern. It is held in great reverence, and small articles of
clothing of sick persons are drawn through the orifice in hope of their
recovery.
[Illustration: Holed-stone at the ‘Church of the Men,’ Inismurray.]
The following particulars of holed-stones, to which popular
superstitions are attached, are derived from _A Survey of Antiquarian
Remains in Inismurray_[10] by Mr. Wakeman. This island, off the coast
of Sligo, presents three fine specimens of the pillar-stone, two of
which must be considered valuable, and probably unique examples of
the ‘holed’ class. These are sometimes called ‘Praying stones’ by
the natives of the island. The more important stands on the southern
side of Teampull-na-bfear, or the ‘Church of the men,’ at a little
distance from that structure. It measures 4 feet in height, 11½ inches
in breadth at top, 1 foot 1 inch at base, and about 7 inches in
thickness. The monument faces east and west; its edges and eastern
side are plain. The western face, on which a graceful cross has been
incised, exhibits two holes of a size just large enough to admit the
insertion of a thumb. It may be observed that the arms and head of
the symbol terminate in spirals like those found upon the celebrated
‘Alphabet Stone’ at Kilmalkedar, the work upon which has been held, by
acknowledged authorities on such matters, to belong to the sixth, or at
latest to the seventh century of the Christian era. The orifices extend
through the adjoining angles of the stone, and open out at its sides in
apertures sufficiently spacious to receive the fingers of a full-sized
hand. In connection with this pillar-stone, as also with a similar
monument situated close to Teampull-na-mban, or ‘Church of the women,’
a custom which is worthy of record, very generally prevails. Women who
expect shortly to become mothers are wont to resort to these stones,
for the purpose of praying for a happy issue from the perils of their
impending travail. The natives assert that death in childbirth is an
unknown calamity upon the island. The postulants kneel, passing their
thumbs into the front, and their fingers into the side openings, by
which means a firm grasp of the angles of the pillar is obtained. They
are thus enabled to rise from their act of obeisance with a minimum of
strain or difficulty. A pillar-stone, unperforated and uninscribed, of
about the same dimensions as that just noticed, is seen immediately
beside it. The two stand in line at right angles with the northern wall
of the very ancient church almost immediately adjoining.
The second holed-stone, to which we have already referred, bears upon
its eastern face a plain Latin cross. It is 5 feet high, 10½ inches
broad at base, 11½ inches at top, and 4½ inches in thickness. Like its
fellow at the ‘Church of the men’ it is held in profound veneration,
especially by the women of the island. The pillar may indeed be
prehistoric, and the cross an addition. The type of cross which it
exhibits is characteristic of the earliest Christian times in Ireland;
this being so, the monument in its present style may be assigned to a
period not later than the close of the sixth century.
* * * * *
_Rock Scribings, Cup-and-Circle Markings._--This subject has proved of
considerable interest to archæologists everywhere. Rock scribings or
markings, whether noticed upon European, Asiatic, or American rocks
or monuments, often in their general features bear so strong a family
likeness that it is at first sight difficult to believe that they have
not been executed by one and the same race of people. But we know that
the minds of savages or semi-savages, situated widely apart, and placed
under somewhat similar environment, will instinctively run in parallel
grooves of thought; and thus, in the form, material, and ornamentation
of their objects of veneration, arms, and implements of everyday life,
as well as in their personal decorations, present a like development.
It need be no wonder then that, far and near, over the surface of the
Old and of the New World, rock and stone scribings are to be found, and
that they should frequently have many common characteristics. Until
recently these antiquarian puzzles have received but little attention
from Irish archæologists. Petrie does not seem to have noticed their
existence; O’Donovan and O’Curry make no mention of them; nor do
the older writers, except in one or two instances, where a single
stone or so is referred to as bearing work of a mystic and barbarous
character. The forms of these markings to be met with in Ireland are
these: cups; cups and rings; the same with radial channel; concentric
rings; penannular rings; spirals; stars; triangles and wheels; zigzag
and other lines. Considerable attention has been given in recent years
to the elaborate scorings on the rocks forming the great chambers at
Newgrange, Dowth, and Loughcrew, Co. Meath, to which we shall refer in
a subsequent chapter. In these ‘Ireland,’ as Colonel Wood-Martin says,
‘possesses a collection of this species of prehistoric ornamentation
which, in singularity, number, and quaintness of design, is approached
in point of interest only by some of the great stone chambers of the
district of Morbihan.’
The late Dr. Graves, Bishop of Limerick, in the publications of the
Royal Irish Academy, appears to have been the first to draw attention
to sculpturings of this class found in Ireland. Subsequently the
subject was taken up by inquirers, in various parts of the world, who
found in their own countries kindred rock carvings. In Ireland the
groups of designs found upon the surface of our undisturbed rocks
exhibit in many instances characteristics almost, if not entirely,
peculiar to themselves. For instance, the incomplete concentric
circles with a central cup, from which extends a straight or slightly
curved stroke, called ‘the channel,’ through and sometimes beyond the
outermost gap in the curved lines, are absent from the varied figurings
found in the great sepulchral chambers. Again, the spirals of the
stone sepulchres are, as far as we are aware, invariably absent in
the array of designs found upon the undisturbed or natural rock. This
circumstance was not left unobserved by Dr. Graves when describing his
discoveries in Kerry. But upon one small stone in the neighbourhood
of Tullakeel, near Sneem, he found a rude carving of a short portion
of a spiral. This stone lay set in a fence; it may have belonged to
some tomb of which no other relic is known to remain, so that little
argument can be based on the character of its scribing. Although
antiquaries are not yet in a position to pronounce authoritatively on
the precise significance of our rock markings, a glance at some early
speculations as to their nature may not here be out of place. It has
been suggested that the circular markings were intended to represent
shields. ‘This notion,’ says Dr. Graves, ‘seems inconsistent with
the fact that the same stone presents so many circular symbols of
different sizes, varying from the small shallow cup of an inch or two
in diameter to the group of concentric circles two feet across. It also
seems probable that, as shields in general used to bear distinctive
devices, these would appear in the inscriptions; but the inscribed
circles exhibit no such variety as might have been expected on this
hypothesis. Again, if the circles represented shields, what could be
meant by the openings in the circumference of so many of them? Lastly,
what connection could there be between the idea of shields and the
long lines appearing in the Staigue monument, or the short ones on
that of Ballynasare? Another idea was that these figures were designed
to represent astronomical phenomena.’ For several reasons he rejected
that theory, particularly as it failed to account for the openings in
the circles, the absence of figures indicating the sun and moon, and
not even the rudest attempt at the phases of the lunar body. It was
also suggested that the circles were intended for moulds to cast metal
rings. The fact of the circles so often occurring on a sloping face
of a rock renders this untenable. That the circles were used for some
game was rejected from the varying sizes of the circles on different
stones. ‘The idea which occurred to my own mind,’ he continues, ‘was,
that the incised circles were intended to represent the circular
buildings of earth or stone, of which the traces still exist in
every part of Ireland. This conjecture is supported by the following
considerations:--1. The circles are of different sizes, and some are
disposed in concentric groups. The ancient dwellings and fortified
seats of the ancient Irish were circular; they were of various sizes,
from the small cloghan, or stone house, of ten feet in diameter, to the
great camp including an area of some acres; and the principal forts had
several concentric _valla_. 2. The openings in the inscribed circles
may have been intended to denote the entrances. 3. The other inscribed
lines may have represented roads passing by or leading up to the forts.’
Discouraged by the reception with which his theory was received, he
laid his drawings aside for many years. Returning again to the subject,
he gave it further examination, which confirmed his original opinion.
He says: ‘The centres of the circles and the neighbouring cups and dots
arrange themselves generally three by three in straight lines. This
disposition of the symbols could not be said to be perfectly accurate;
but I thought I could observe close and designed approximation to
it. If, then, the circles represent forts, and are disposed three by
three in straight lines on the inscribed stones, I saw that we might
expect to find the forts disposed in like manner over the surface
of the country; and I think that I have succeeded in verifying this
inference. The ancient raths have fortunately been laid down on the
six-inch Ordnance Survey maps of Ireland; and unless I am deceived by
fortuitous collineations, I find that the forts are actually arranged
three by three in straight lines. The discovery of this fact, if it be
a fact would be of much more consequence than the explanation of the
meaning of the inscriptions of which I have just given an account. But
this further inquiry must be conducted with care. Large portions of the
country must be examined, and those difficulties must be confronted
which the disappearance of ancient remains must inevitably give rise
to.’[11]
It has been objected to the map theory that in the parts of Scotland
and England where circle-and-channel scorings occur most numerously, no
raths or forts, or, if any, very few, are to be found. But it may be
urged that the early British strongholds, corresponding to our raths,
duns, and stone forts, were very frequently composed of perishable
materials, such as timber stockades, or the interwoven branches of
trees, of which, in the course of a few centuries at most, no trace
would remain.
[Illustration: Rock Scribings, Mevagh, Co. Donegal. (Scale,
one-fourth.)]
[Illustration: Scribings on sides of Knockmore Cave, near
Derrygonnelly, Co. Fermanagh.
(Scale, one-third.)]
Only a small portion of the rubbings and drawings made of the rock
scribings by Bishop Graves was published by him. Mr. Robert Day has
published some interesting examples taken from a scored rock of red
sandstone on the road between Bantry and Ballydehob. The scribings
consist of circles, cup-shaped cavities, penannular rings, and V-shaped
markings.[12] The late George Du Noyer describes at length some which
he found in various parts of the country[13]; and other antiquarians
have largely added to the list. Amongst these is Mr. G. H. Kinahan,
whose descriptions and illustrations of the scribings on rocks in
Wicklow and Wexford, and in the Mevagh and Barnes districts (Co.
Donegal), deserve attention.[14]
A stone now in the Grainger collection of the Museum, Belfast, and
which once stood on a hill near Broughshane, Co. Antrim, furnishes an
instance of elaborate scoring within a roughly shield-shaped outline.
The stone is stated to have been originally found covering a cist.
A similar example of scorings was found in a sepulchral chamber at
Cloverhill, near Sligo.[15] Mr. Wakeman discovered, near Boho, Co.
Fermanagh, about nine miles from Enniskillen, a cluster of large rocks
bearing a number of the cup-and-circle devices.[16] In the same
neighbourhood were similar markings on the living rock. They occur a
little to the south of Lough Blocknet, on the slope of the hill.
[Illustration: ‘Shield pattern’ Rock-sculpture, from Broughshane, Co.
Antrim.]
Important examples of rude sculpturings appear upon the walls of
certain natural, or perhaps semi-artificial, caverns occurring at
Knockmore, close to the village of Derrygonnelly, Co. Fermanagh. The
chief of these is the ‘Lettered Cave,’ so called from the carvings
of an early date with which its sides are scored. The dimensions of
this singular retreat are as follows:--Height, at the mouth, 10 feet 5
inches; these proportions gradually lessen to a distance of about 18
feet from the external opening. There the passage takes an oblique
turning to the southward, and continues to a distance of about 9 feet
further into the heart of the limestone. The height of the chamber at
its extreme end is about 5 feet. The opening faces north-east, and is
well sheltered from the wind by a grassy knoll, which extends, right
and left, in front. There is every reason to believe it was long used
as a habitation or place of retreat. The markings are placed, without
any attempt at symmetrical arrangement, upon almost every smooth
portion of the rocky surface of the interior. Many are extremely well
marked; others have become all but obliterated through the influence
of time, the efflorescence of the stone, and the action of persons who
have in many places scraped away the ancient figurings, or portions of
them, in order to find space for inscribing their respective names;
but, nevertheless, a considerable portion of the old markings remain in
excellent condition. These scribings consist for the greater part of
a number of figures and designs usually considered, by archæologists,
as prehistoric. But whatever may be the age and character of
such carvings, there can be no doubt amongst antiquaries that an
elaborately-formed interlacing cross, which may be seen engraved upon
the left-hand side of the entrance to the cave, must be referred to an
early Christian period.
Knockmore contains on its northern side, in a situation rather
difficult of access, a second scored and partially artificial cavern.
This little eyry, which is only large enough to retain in a recumbent
position two, or at most three, persons of ordinary size, must, while
yet the slopes of the knock were covered with trees and brushwood,
have formed a very secure retreat. That it was inhabited in early days
is certain, as upon digging up a considerable portion of the floor,
indications of fires having been used were traceable on at least
three separate levels. At a little distance from the surface, amongst
burnt-looking earth and particles of wood charcoal, Mr. Wakeman found
some bones of animals which had been used as food. They were generally
very small, and difficult of identification, but amongst them occurred
those of the red deer. The carvings here are rather of an elaborate
character, and form an interesting combination of the older style of
sepulchral rock-sculpture with what is generally considered early Irish
work, but of a period subsequent to the spread of Christianity in this
country.[17]
A third cave, situated three and a half miles from that of Knockmore,
and over four from the police station of Boho, contains some very
interesting examples of cavern scorings. This weird spot is worth
visiting, though there is no road running nearer to it than at a
distance of four miles. The name of the place is Loughnacloyduff, or
‘Lake of the dark trench.’ The lake, or lough, which covers about one
acre, is bounded on its northern side by a shattered cliff of yellowish
sandstone, rising to a height of perhaps thirty feet above the level
of the water. Within the face of this rock are several caverns, two of
which present every appearance of being, in part at least, artificial.
The largest measures about 6 feet in height, by about the same in
breadth, and 10 in depth. The sides and roof are extremely rugged,
except here and there where some little care appears to have been
exercised for the reception of a series of scorings of various kinds,
any notice of which, up to the time of our visit, had not, as far as
we are aware, been published. The principal cave is connected with a
second and smaller one, lying upon its western side, by an aperture
in the partition of rock, by which, but for this provision, the two
chambers would be completely severed. The lesser cavern is small, rude
and uninscribed, but sufficiently large and dry to have been used
as a sleeping apartment by the primitive occupants. The carvings at
Loughnacloyduff consist chiefly of crosses enclosed within an apparent
lozenge; of starlike designs; and of strokes which look very like a
species of Ogam writing. The caverns, once perhaps the home of the
cave-dweller, are now the dens of wild animals--the fox and the brock
or badger, as the bones of other animals and the tattered plumage of
birds testify.
In our observations on Caves, we have confined ourselves to those which
are natural, or partly artificial, rock-caverns, and in no instance
referred to the souterrains--underground passages and chambers,
lined with drystone masonry and roofed over with flags, found very
plentifully in various parts of the country, and too carelessly or
vaguely described by some writers under the title of ‘Caves.’ These
will be dealt with in a subsequent chapter.
As we have already intimated, in the present state of our knowledge it
is impossible to dogmatize upon rock markings. Caution must be used in
any attempt to interpret them. Many are no doubt due to natural causes.
The familiar water-marks on the Old Red Sandstone formation may too
readily be taken for cuttings made by the hand of man. The late Richard
Rolt Brash once observed, in the sections of vertical rock strata in
the quarries of South Wales, cup-like holes, with corresponding bosses
on the opposing layers, and was of opinion that these were sometimes
taken for artificial hollows. The late Dr. Frazer, following on the
lines of M. Valenciennes, found the _Echinus lividus_ lodged in a
cup-like hollow burrowed for itself in the rocks on the sea-shore of
Bundoran. Dr. Frazer expressed his opinion that the cup-markings on the
rocks round the shore of Lough Melvin, once probably an arm of the sea,
were due to the same cause; and further, that some of the markings on
rocks described by Sir James Simpson in _British Archaic Sculpturings_
were pittings of the _Echinus_.[18] Many of the cup-like indentations
in the limestone rock are, in the opinion of some scientists, due to
acid secretions of the snail, notably the _Helix aspersa_. Making due
allowance for these natural causes, yet a mass of rude markings by
the hand of man remain, difficult to interpret as to their origin,
their meaning, and the people to whom they are to be assigned. In many
districts of this country, and some of them widely apart, we find
upon the sides of caves and rocks, and within the enclosure of pagan
sepulchral tumuli, a certain well-defined class of markings, often
arranged in groups, and with few exceptions, presenting what may be
styled a family type: we can hardly imagine them to be the result of
caprice. In ancient and in modern times, men confined by necessity to
a listless existence, in an inhospitable district, or when tending
flocks and herds, might very naturally have beguiled their hours by
carving with a stone or metallic instrument such figures as their fancy
prompted, upon the nearest object which happened to present a surface
more or less smooth. Scorings or patterns made under such circumstances
would be, in character, as various as the skill or humours of the
designers.
* * * * *
_Rocking-stones._--In a field situated not far from the ‘Eglone’ (see
page 12) occurs a huge mass of the same lithic character. It is known
as the Rocking-stone, and, although some tons in weight, may be swayed
some eighteen inches on either side by very slight exertion of the
hand. These so-called ‘Rocking-stones’ are to be met with in various
parts of Ireland and Great Britain. Up to a comparatively recent period
they had been supposed to have been associated in some way with the
celebration of druidical rites or mysteries. That idea is no longer
held, except, indeed, by some old-fashioned or superstitious people.
Upon the borders of Fermanagh and Cavan, about three miles along the
mountain road from the village of Black Lion, in the direction of the
Shannon Pot, may be seen a very characteristic example of the kind of
remains under notice. It consists of an immense block of stone, six
feet high, somewhat globular in shape, and weighing several tons. The
stone rests upon a rock, and is so poised that a moderate pressure of
the fingers will suffice to move it. From the position of the mass it
would seem to be artificial. It may be that the stone was originally
placed where it at present stands in memory of some now long forgotten
hero or event, and, owing to an accidental peculiarity, existing either
in its own configuration or in that of the supporting rock, was so
imposed that it may be thus shaken a few inches backwards and forwards.
On the slope of a hill, on the old battle-field of Northern Moytura, is
a fine boulder, which we failed to stir, and we were informed by our
guide that sometimes the stone rocked, and sometimes it was immovable.
The cause of the latter state may probably be due to the clay which
is washed down the slope, and rests in the socket on which the rock
is balanced. Not far from this, and near the village of Highwood,
is another rocking-stone which can easily be moved. On the shore of
Brown’s Bay, north of Island Magee, is a larger rocking-stone, weighing
about 10 tons, which was once believed to tremble at the approach of a
criminal.
Rocking-stones are simply erratic blocks dropped into their present
positions in the decline of the Ice Age. A similar phenomenon may be
witnessed in the ‘tables’ of a glacier, where the pedestal of ice under
the shadow of the rock perched upon it, melts less rapidly than the
surrounding surface. Rocking-stones were no doubt looked upon with
superstitious awe by the worshippers of stocks and stones, during the
dark ages preceding the introduction of Christianity in these islands.
* * * * *
_Druid’s Chairs, or Seats: Inauguration Stones, &c._--Other rude stone
monuments which we thus classify occur in Ireland. In an article on
this subject in the _Gentleman’s Magazine_,[19] Richard Rolt Brash
says: ‘The class of monument now under consideration has been found
in countries widely apart. Examples of the stone chair in its most
ancient types have been met with in Ireland, Wales, Greece, and South
America.’ The examples found in Ireland have been generally speaking
of two classes--those associated with the Druids or Brehons exercising
their respective priestly or judicial functions, and those used in the
inauguration of a chief of a great sept. The so-called ‘Coronation
Chair’ of the O’Neills of Clandeboye, after various vicissitudes
and wanderings, is now once again in Belfast. It consists of a rude
quadrangular block of common whinstone, from one side of which,
slightly sloping backwards, rises a somewhat thin back, in form and
size very similar to that of a plain oak chair of the seventeenth
century. The Chair is entirely of natural formation, and has evidently
never been touched by a tool. In ancient times the chiefs on the
occasion of their inauguration were not seated. On the contrary they,
as Spenser describes, stood ‘uppon a stone allwayes reserved for that
purpose, and placed commonly uppon a hill.’ Their feet rested within
certain sculptured hollows the shape of a man’s foot, and which were
supposed to indicate the shape and size of the sole of the foot of
the first great captain of the reigning race. The great Chair of the
Tyrone O’Neills stood on the Rath of Tullahogue when the chiefs were
inaugurated, the last occasion on which it was used being that of the
inauguration of Hugh O’Neill in 1595. The chair, as Fynes Moryson tells
us, Mountjoy ‘brake down’ in 1602.
[Illustration: ‘The Hag’s Chair,’ Loughcrew.]
A great boulder on Slieve-na-Calliaghe, one of the Loughcrew hills,
near Oldcastle, Co. Meath, is called the ‘Hag’s Chair.’ It stands a few
feet within the line of great stones which formed a circle enclosing
the principal cairn of that locality. The late Eugene Conwell conceived
the visionary idea that he had discovered in it the judicial seat of
no less a person than Ollamh Fodhla, whom he describes as ‘Ireland’s
famous monarch and law-maker, upwards of three thousand years ago’!
The stone weighs about 10 tons, and measures 10 feet by 6, and 2 feet
6 inches thick; the ends are raised about 9 inches above the level,
forming a rude seat. It has rude markings similar to those already
described, but the crosses on the seat and elevated ends were made
during the trigonometrical survey. The hag is traditionally said to
have broken her neck in attempting a flying leap from one hilltop to
another, when depositing cairns upon their summits.
[Illustration: ‘Druid’s Judgment Seat,’ Killiney.]
[Illustration: Ancient Stone, Killiney.]
A singular pile of stones, usually called the ‘Druid’s Judgment Seat,’
furnishes a good instance of a popular error. This structure stands
near the village of Killiney, not far from the Martello Tower, upon the
opposite side of the road. It was formerly enclosed within a circle
of great stones and a ditch. The circle has been destroyed, and the
ditch so altered that little of its original character remains. ‘The
Seat’ is composed of large, rough granite blocks, and if really of
the period to which tradition refers it, an unusual degree of care
must have been exercised for its preservation. The stones bear many
indications of their having been at least re-arranged at no very
distant time. Small wedges have been introduced as props between the
greater stones. The right arm is detached from the other part, to which
it fits but clumsily. The whole, indeed, bears the appearance of a
modern antique, composed of stones which once formed a portion of some
ancient monument. One great evidence of its being a forgery consists in
the position which it occupies near the eastern side of the enclosure,
while the back of the seat is turned towards the west and towards
the centre of the space originally enclosed by the stone circle. The
following are its dimensions: breadth at the base, 11½ feet; depth of
the seat, 1 foot 9 inches; extreme height, 7 feet. Of several detached
stones remaining in the enclosure one is remarkable, as the engraving
on this page shows, for the form into which it has been cut. It is a
work probably coeval with the original stone circle, and it has been
suggested to be symbolical of the sun and moon.
A ‘Brehon’s Chair,’ so called by Beranger, an artist and archæologist
who during the latter half of the eighteenth century paid much
attention to the subject of Irish antiquities, may be seen on the lands
of Glensouthwell, near Hollypark, about three miles and a half from
Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin. This monument has been most absurdly misnamed.
It is in fact a very remarkable example of the cromlech, or dolmen,
and bears no resemblance to a chair of any description. The table, or
covering, which had fallen, until a few years ago lay on the ground
beside it. This, unfortunately, no longer exists, the stone having been
wantonly broken to pieces and used for building purposes.
Legend and tradition associate many such objects with the saints and
mythical heroes of the past, and it is only necessary to indicate
one or two examples. On the shore of the pilgrim-visited Lough
Derg, Co. Donegal, may be seen a large block of stone, which has
always been known as ‘St. Brigid’s Chair.’ It is simply a boulder,
fashioned by nature into what is at present a very chair-looking
object. In the neighbourhood of Letterkenny, in the townland of
Lacknacor, is a flagstone upon which St. Columba is said to have
been born: the peasantry believe that whoever sleeps upon it for a
night will not suffer from home sickness, and it has consequently
been frequented by emigrants on the eve of their departure from their
native land. Elevated on a circular piece of masonry, in the grounds
of Ballyconnell, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal, is a mass of quartz rock,
associated with Balor of the ‘mighty blows,’ chief of the Fomorians,
one of whose strongholds was Tory Island. Balor stole Glasgavlen, a
celebrated cow, from a chief on the mainland named MacKineeley; the
latter planned revenge, but before he could execute it Balor landed on
the mainland with his followers, seized MacKineeley and cut off his
head on the stone, hence called Cloch-i-neely, ‘Kineely’s Stone.’ In
local tradition to this day the natural red veins in the stone point to
the sanguinary nature of the deed.
* * * * *
[Illustration: Grain-rubber.]
_Bulláns or Rock Basins._--Throughout Ireland, and particularly in
districts of the north-west, basin-like hollows may be found sunk in
boulders or cut into the undisturbed rocks, or in the sides or shelving
portions of natural caves: these are called ‘Bulláns’, or ‘Bullauns.’
In size and section they vary considerably; some examples, in extreme
diameter, measuring four feet or so, while others are scarcely bigger
than a small breakfast saucer. The average diameter might be taken as
fourteen inches. In section they present three distinct varieties:
the most usual is that of an inverse cone; many are bowl-shaped;
and not a few simply shallow depressions with vertical sides. Many
theories have been advanced as to their origin and uses, but as their
purpose was doubtless varied, no definite rule can be laid down upon
the subject. It has been urged that some of these bulláns may have
been associated with pagan sepulchral rites; while evidence seems to
warrant a conclusion that, occasionally at least, some were utilized
as baptismal fonts, or at any rate, as receptacles for holy water.
They have been considered ‘mortars’ by some archæologists, and that
they were used for pounding grain by the priests living in, or in
the cells adjoining, ancient churches. This may apply to some, but
not to all, for the hollow is frequently in section an equilateral
triangle, with a very acute lower point. It is evident that a bullán
thus shaped could never have been intended for pounding purposes. Other
examples, which are found on the vertical sides of boulders, or on
the almost perpendicular face of the natural rock, could not possibly
have been designed for a moment to hold anything like grain. Mr. G. H.
Kinahan, however, found bulláns used in Co. Donegal for pounding corn
for illicit distilling.[20] Primitive man no doubt used, as occasion
required, such natural rock-hollows as he could find for the purpose of
pounding corn or roots for food. A more accessible article, however,
was the _Grain-rubber_; this was generally a flat stone, the upper
surface of which was hollowed out for holding the material to be
prepared for food. A large stone with rounded surface was used for
pounding or crushing. A more advanced step in milling was the _Quern_;
this has been found in most countries and stages of civilization; and
has been used in Ireland down to our own day. Fine examples of it and
the grain-rubber may be seen in the Royal Irish Academy collection,
National Museum, Dublin.
[Illustration: Pot-Quern.]
Bulláns are found far apart from churches, on mountains, in valleys,
by the banks of rivers and shores of lakes, and in the chambers of
sepulchral mounds. Bulláns placed in the face of the rock occur at
Garranbane, near Tempo, Co. Fermanagh; and on a great erratic boulder
lying by the side of the road leading from that townlet to Enniskillen,
at a distance of about one mile from the former place, two well-defined
specimens appear. In the townland of Standingstone, within the demesne
of Castlecool, close to Enniskillen, a fine pillar-stone, bearing at
least two bulláns, may be seen. The stone is at present prostrate; but
that it was not always so, is indicated by the name of the surrounding
land. Within the great sepulchral chambers of Newgrange, Dowth, and
Slieve-na-Calliaghe, Co. Meath, are large examples; and when exploring
the pagan cemetery at Drumnakilly, near Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Mr. Wakeman
unearthed two bullán stones which had sustained cinerary urns,
placed mouth downward upon them. These stones were deposited in the
Archæological Museum of Kilkenny, together with the fictilia referred
to.[21]
As in the case of other rocks, traditions of heroes and saints are
sometimes attached to these stones. The late Rev. F. Sherman gives the
following instance: Mesgegra, king of Leinster in the first century
of the Christian era, was slain and decapitated by Conal Cearnach,
the champion of Ulster. The head was laid upon a stone, and the tale
records ‘that the blood flowed through it to the ground.’ The stone
is said still to remain in the stream opposite the ruins of the
Franciscan church of Clane. ‘It is a bullán stone, and has an inverse
conical cavity eighteen inches deep, and as many wide, on its upper
surface.’[22] An interesting legend is attached to the ‘Deer-stone’
in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. It is said that St. Kevin once found an
infant abandoned by its mother; his anxiety to procure it food was
relieved by the appearance of a beautiful white doe, that was then, and
afterwards daily, milked into the ‘Deer-stone.’ The antiquity of the
stone is doubted.
Bulláns are found in pairs, as at Kill o’ the Grange, near Blackrock,
Co. Dublin; in threes, as close to the ancient church of Templenaffrin,
adjoining Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh; and in numbers up to nine. Of the
large number that are to be found scattered throughout the country,
two very striking examples of the class deserve special notice. In
the townland of Meelehans, about three miles from Tullamore, is
a _nine-holed_ bullán. This is a fossiliferous limestone boulder,
differing from the limestone of the surrounding district. On the
face of the rock from which the earth had been removed, in a radius
of three feet, circular hollows were found. Four of these measured
one foot in diameter; two were smaller, and the depth was about half
the diameter; a seventh was but partially cut: the dressing of these
being smooth. The remaining two were natural depressions.[23] Another
nine-holed bullán lies upon the shore of Upper Lough Macnean, near
the ancient church of Killinagh, and in the immediate vicinity of a
well called ‘Tober Brigid,’ formerly, and we believe still, held very
sacred by many of the neighbouring peasantry.[24] The bullán is a
round boulder of red sandstone, measuring 5 feet 9 inches by 5 feet
2 inches. On its somewhat table-like surface are nine hollows placed
somewhat irregularly, one being nearly in the centre of the group.
Each of the depressions contained a stone, generally of an oval form,
and nearly filling the hollow. Superstitious beliefs and practices
still linger round many of these stones; and many bulláns are found
associated with certain springs or wells usually esteemed holy, but the
special significance of these associations it is now difficult, if not
impossible, to determine.