What makes this particular monument intriguing is its absence from historical records; the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6-inch map shows no trace of any ‘Standing Stone’ marked at this location. Whether this was an oversight by early surveyors or the stone was erected after the mapping took place remains a mystery.

Standing stones like this one are scattered throughout the Irish landscape, serving as silent witnesses to prehistoric communities who erected them thousands of years ago. These monoliths were raised for various purposes; some marked burial sites, others delineated territorial boundaries, and many likely held ritual or astronomical significance. The Gortyarrigan stone, positioned on its sloping ground, would have commanded views across the surrounding countryside, perhaps deliberately placed to be visible from multiple vantage points.

The documentation of this monument comes from the comprehensive Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, compiled by Brian Lacey and his team in 1983. This extensive survey catalogued field antiquities spanning from the Mesolithic period through to the 17th century, providing crucial records of heritage sites that might otherwise be forgotten. The Gortyarrigan standing stone, though absent from earlier maps, now takes its rightful place in the archaeological record of Donegal, a testament to the importance of ongoing field surveys in preserving knowledge of Ireland’s ancient past.