Despite its presence in the landscape, this standing stone doesn’t appear on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6-inch map, suggesting it may have been overlooked or perhaps not considered significant enough for inclusion at the time of the survey.

The stone forms part of Donegal’s rich archaeological landscape, which spans from the Mesolithic period through to the 17th century. Standing stones like this one are found throughout Ireland and often date to the Bronze Age, though their exact purpose remains a matter of scholarly debate. Some may have served as territorial markers, whilst others could have had ritual or astronomical significance; many likely fulfilled multiple functions for the communities that erected them.

This particular monument was documented as part of the comprehensive Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, compiled by Brian Lacey and his team in 1983. The survey represents one of the most thorough catalogues of the county’s field antiquities, recording everything from prehistoric monuments to post-medieval structures. The Carnowen standing stone, whilst modest compared to some of Ireland’s more famous megalithic sites, represents an important piece of the archaeological puzzle that helps us understand how ancient peoples marked and used the landscape of Donegal.