| Rathmichael - Bullaun Stone |
From the map I thought that this would not offer much. However when I reached here I was astounded. There is a stump of a round tower (now only 2m high) and the most incredible early Christian grave slabs I have seen to date. Most slabs from this period are simply pieces of stone with no markings.
The markings on the slabs are purely cup marks or spirals, one has a leaf pattern on it. They are definitely very early and show traces of Neolithic art forms. These blew my mind. It is amazing that these are still in situ and have not been carried away to some museum.
The whole complex sits in a huge henge or rath (hence the name) that was once the fort of a very powerful local chieftain.
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_All Sites Visited On 15th November 2001 « Previous Site Next Site »
Just stopped off for a re-visit while passing. I was hoping to get some better pictures of the burial slabs, but the light still wasn't right. I'm not sure what light would really be good to photograph these though.
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_All Sites Visited On 18th March 2002 « Previous Site Next Site »
There is supposed to be a bullaun stone near to the church, but I can't find it. Any info about it would be greatly appreciated.
I do love this graveyard. There's something quite special about it that the round tower stump and beautiful grave slabs add to. Whilst looking for the bullaun I saw the fantastic view to the east that is obscured by the hedges along the lane. From the otherside of the hedge there is a great view to Dalkey Head, Killiney Hill, Dalkey Island and to Howth.
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_From Stepaside head south to Kiltiernan. Take the left turn after the StatOil garage (It may be best to zero your mileometer at this junction.) Continue for 1.9 miles until you pass a few cottages on the left. On the right there is a rough farmtrack with a Cul-de-Sac sign - blink and you'll miss it! Drive up this track to the white gates. Go through the white gates to reach the church - just keep walking up the lane until it appears on your right.
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
 Rock of Cashel (Co. Tipperary) |  Oran (Co. Roscommon) |  Kilree (Co. Kilkenny) |
 Monasterboice (Co. Louth) |  Balla (Co. Mayo) |  Antrim (Co. Antrim) |
