Standing Stones of County Carlow
In a week where significant new archaeological finds have been made in Newgrange i thought it appropriate to post this.
The words of Clannad’s hauntingly beautiful ‘Newgrange’ always come to mind when I pass the many examples of Standing Stones, (also known as Gallauns or Menhirs), that dot our little County: ‘The druids lived here once they said, forgotten is the race that no one knows…’. What these stones represent is lost in time.
A legacy of the Celts, they remain a mystery to us today – were they markers of some sort, burial or ritual sites?
100 Rathglass Ogham Stone
I have numbered the photos to identify them according to their listing in the brilliant ‘Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow. Two of these cary ogham inscriptions; ogham being an early form of writing consisting of lines and notches carved into stone and represent the oldest form of writing in Ireland.
They are an important part of our heritage and we are indebted to the landowners who have protected them and maintain that link with an ancient and mysterious celtic past.
100 Rathglass Standing Stones. A pair of standing stones
515 Patrickswell Ogham Stone
105 Williamstown Gallaun Standing Stone
104 Tombeagh Standing Stone
101 Tankardstown Standing Stone
98 Rathgeran Standing Stone
97 Leighlinbridge Standing Stone
87 Craans Ardattin Standing Stone
81 B Ballyellin & Tomdarragh Standing Stone. I spotted this in a garden – not sure it is authentic!
81 Ballyellin & Tomdarragh Standing Stone
79 Ardristan Standing Stone
78 Aghade Cloch a Phoill
