stones historical ireland

A standing stone, 17 feet high, looking almost like a modern piece of sculpture.
An ogham inscription, possibly added later, reads MAQI-DECCEDDAS AVI TURANIAS (Of the son of Deich descendant of Torainn).- To no one is really sure what the scription on the stones means or who was Deich or Torainn.

As the stone is standing on private land, visitors will be asked to pay 2euro to the land owner to see the stone....

This stone, about three feet high, was removed here to the grounds of a private house from its original position beside the Rath of Feerwore some miles away. The lowest portion has no decoration; in the middle is a Greek step-pattern. The top half of the stone is covered in a profusion of curvilinear ornament in relief which is typical of the Celtic art style known as La Tene.

It is the finest example in Europe of a series of presumably ritual stones decorated with Celtic ornament, so...

Ardmore is the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland. St. Declan lived in the period 350 -450 AD and christianised this area before the coming of St. Patrick. St. Declan's feast day is "Pattern Day" every 24th of July....

Among the few relics which Galway retains from the days of the horse are Jostle Stones. These are small conical stones, usually placed at corners of narrow lanes and gateways with the purpose of preventing carriages from cutting corners too fine.

These jostle stones helped save both carriage wheel and corner from damage. One such Jostle Stone can be found at the corner of Easons, in church lane. Its matching partner has long since disappeared....

A squared pillarstone of monumental appearance, 7 feet high and 3 feet wide. its south-eastern face is decorated with a profusion of cup-marks, many with single and multiple surrounding rings, a characteristic motif of the Galician or rock art of the Bronze Age. The stone is in a field behind a farmhouse, 1 mile north-north-east of Muff, to the west of the coast road to Carrowkeel and Moville....

One of the great wonders of the ancient world, Newgrange is older than Stonehenge, Mycenae or even the pyramids in Egypt. Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is the starting point for a tour of Newgrange....

Majestically towering over the Laois countryside is the Rock of Dunamaise - the remains of a celtic fortification. This is one of Ireland's most famous landmarks and has a long and diverse history attached to it. Aoife, daughter of the King of Leinster received it as a part of her dowry on her marriage to Strongbow. The fort was also part of the O'Moore territory. It is a gathering point for the O'Lalor Clan Rally which takes place in October....

An Ogham stone about 8 feet high which may originally have been a Bronze Age standing stone. The inscription reads LGG....SD....LE ESCAD on one side, and on the other MAW CORRBRI MAQ AMLOITT....

A 9ft high pillar stone with crosses on two faces in suitably named Giantsgrave off the N24. Signposted....