This particular cairn, situated in the southeast corner, forms a rough circle about three metres across and stands nearly a metre high, built from small to medium stones that have become partially covered with grass over the centuries. Another similar cairn sits immediately to its northwest, whilst a third can be found about eight metres away to the north-northeast.

These penitential cairns play a central role in a traditional pilgrimage route known locally as the ‘pattern’ or ‘turas’. The devotional journey begins at a nearby holy well before continuing as a walking circuit through the graveyard. Pilgrims circle each cairn clockwise, adding a small stone to the heap as they go; a practice that has slowly built up these monuments over generations of faithful visitors. This ritual of circumambulation and stone-placing connects modern visitors to centuries of Irish Catholic tradition, where physical acts of devotion were believed to bring spiritual merit.

The cairns represent a fascinating blend of pre-Christian and Christian traditions that characterises many Irish holy sites. While the practice of building stone cairns dates back to prehistoric times, their incorporation into Christian pilgrimage routes demonstrates how Ireland’s ancient sacred landscapes were adapted rather than abandoned. Today, these weathered heaps of stone continue to grow, one pebble at a time, as both locals and visitors participate in this enduring ritual of faith and remembrance.