Located just 80 metres north of Straid Bridge, where the Murlin River flows beneath, this bullaun stone offers splendid westward views across to the sea. The stone itself is a modest piece of natural bedrock, measuring roughly 1.15 metres by 0.75 metres, but what makes it special is the perfectly circular basin carved into its surface.

This water-filled hollow, about 25 centimetres across and 20 centimetres deep, is what defines a bullaun stone. These mysterious stone basins are found throughout Ireland, with hundreds scattered across the countryside, often near early ecclesiastical sites, holy wells, and ancient boundaries. Whilst their exact purpose remains debated amongst archaeologists, they’re generally believed to date from the early medieval period, roughly between the 5th and 12th centuries.

Local folklore attributes various uses to bullaun stones; some say they were used for grinding grain or herbs, whilst others believe the rainwater that collects in them possessed healing properties. Many bullauns became associated with pattern days and religious observances, with pilgrims turning smooth stones within the basins whilst reciting prayers. The An Tsráid example, with its coastal setting and proximity to the bridge, would have been a familiar landmark for generations of local people, each perhaps attributing their own significance to this enduring piece of worked stone.