Standing stone, Carrowreagh or Craignacally, Co. Donegal
In the rushy bogland of Carrowreagh Or Craignacally, County Donegal, lies a fascinating example of prehistoric rock art that was first documented by Van Hoek in 1988.
Standing stone, Carrowreagh or Craignacally, Co. Donegal
The decorated stone, catalogued as DG003-007, is a large slab that projects northward from an old low wall and slopes at 15 degrees to the southeast. Despite Van Hoek’s initial suggestion in 1987 that the rock might be covered, it was later found to be exposed to the elements, though heavily weathered. The inscriptions include two cup-and-ring devices that were previously recorded, along with three additional cupmarks that were discovered during later examination.
The site gains additional intrigue from its proximity to what may be a standing stone, located just 28 metres to the southeast. This potential monument stands 0.9 metres high with a base width of 1.3 metres, tapering to 0.96 metres at the top, and measures 0.18 metres thick. Whilst it lacks some of the characteristic features typically associated with standing stones and could potentially be a natural formation, its close relationship to the rock art panel suggests it may indeed be of prehistoric origin.
Van Hoek’s 1988 survey proved particularly fruitful, as it revealed eight additional decorated stones in the immediate vicinity of the main panel, designated DON 10A through 10H. This concentration of rock art in one location hints at the area’s significance to prehistoric communities, who chose this bogland setting to create their enduring marks on the landscape. The weathered condition of the carvings serves as a reminder of their great age, whilst their survival offers a tangible connection to Ireland’s distant past.





