The stone itself is modest in size, measuring just 46cm by 24cm and standing 24cm high, with its irregular shape suggesting it was likely repurposed from another use. At its centre lies an oval depression, roughly 15cm by 13cm and about 10cm deep, which would have once held water believed to possess healing properties.

Bullaun stones like this one are found throughout Ireland, typically near early Christian sites, holy wells, and ancient graveyards. The depressions, or ‘bullauns’, were created through repeated grinding and hollowing of the stone surface, possibly for crushing herbs or grain in pre-Christian times before being adopted for religious purposes. Local communities would collect rainwater that gathered in these hollows, using it to cure ailments ranging from warts to headaches, with different stones often associated with specific remedies.

This particular example in Cill Charthaigh (the Irish name for Kilcar) was first documented in 2018, though its exact origins remain unknown. While it may lack the elaborate carvings or impressive size of more famous bullaun stones, it represents the same enduring tradition of folk belief and Christian practice that characterised rural Irish spirituality for centuries. Today it sits quietly amongst the gravestones, a tangible link to the customs and beliefs of those who once sought solace in its sacred waters.