Though this ancient monument doesn’t appear on the first edition Ordnance Survey 6-inch map, its presence on the rough, rocky terrain speaks to a time when such markers served purposes we can only speculate about today. The surrounding landscape has been extensively quarried over the years, transforming the mountain terrain whilst this solitary stone remains as a silent witness to the area’s long history.

Standing stones like the one at Meenagory are amongst Ireland’s most enigmatic prehistoric monuments, dating from various periods between the Neolithic and Iron Age. They may have served multiple functions; as territorial markers, ceremonial sites, or astronomical alignments, though their exact purpose often remains a mystery. This particular stone forms part of County Donegal’s rich archaeological landscape, which encompasses everything from Mesolithic settlements to 17th-century structures.

The documentation of this monument comes from the comprehensive Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, compiled in 1983 by Brian Lacey and his team of archaeologists. Their work catalogued the county’s field antiquities systematically, creating an invaluable record of sites that might otherwise be overlooked or forgotten. The absence of the standing stone from early Ordnance Survey maps highlights how easily such monuments can be missed in official records, making local knowledge and dedicated archaeological surveys all the more crucial for preserving Ireland’s ancient heritage.