SELECTED MONUMENTS IN
COUNTIES
LAOIS and OFFALY

Place-names in italics refer to listed entries.

Clonfertmulloe: Multiple bullaun
S 230 900
Sheet 59

3.2 km NNW of Borris-in-Ossory, 6.4 km ENE of the beautiful early monastic site of Mona Incha, 50 metres from a by-road in a field on the opposite side of the road from a ruined church and 200 metres W of it, is a boulder measuring 1.5 by 1.6 metres by 60 cms high, with 4 bullauns from 20 to 28 cms deep and 25 to 45 cms wide, and another small half-bullaun. Known as "St Molua's Stone" it is associated with (but probably pre-dates) the nearby monastic site.

Meelaghans: Multiple bullaun
N 380 224
Sheet 48

4.8 km SE of Tullamore (Offaly) and 800 metres W of Meelaghans crossroads, 400 metres S of a level crossing in a circular copse of thorn trees, approachable by a muddy lane and across two fields, "The Nine-Hole Stone" is a large sunken boulder now surrounded by a little wall. Its exposed surface (1.8 metres in diameter) displays 6 perfectly-formed bullauns up to 30 cms in diameter and half as deep. A seventh is unfinished, and two further natural depressions make up the nine holes.

~ In another little copse just beyond is another larger and higher boulder containing a single bullaun 35 cms in diameter. Unlike the others it does not hold water, due to a fracture in the limestone.

Slatt Lower: remains of Stone circle
S 568 827
Sheet 61

4 kms NNE of the village of Cloch, 6.5 kms SE of Timahoe, and to the NW of a by-road, are the remains of an embanked stone circle originally some 14 metres in diameter and possibly containing a cairn. The scattered nature of the stones makes it difficult to say whether or where there was an entrance or outliers.

~ 4.8 kms N by E of the circle, and the same distance S of Timahoe, a "Dolmen" was marked on the old ½" maps. Further information on this or any other megaliths in Laois & Offaly would be appreciated.