Standing stone, An Dumhaigh, Leitir Mhic An Bhaird, Co. Donegal
Co. Donegal |
Stone Monuments
On the windswept Dooey Peninsula in County Donegal lies a fallen giant of Irish prehistory.
The Cloghastuckan, also known as the 'Hanging Stone', once stood proud at nearly three metres tall atop a significant mound, but now rests collapsed amongst the sandy terrain east of the Dooey Sandhills. This tapering monolith, measuring 2.62 metres long and narrowing from 31 centimetres to just 7 centimetres at its tip, marks what archaeologists have identified as one of Donegal's most important Early Historic period sites.
The mound beneath where this standing stone once presided has revealed an extraordinary story of continuous human occupation spanning several centuries. Excavations led by Ó Ríordáin and Rynne in 1961 uncovered four distinct phases of use, with the site's final incarnation serving as a cemetery. The three earlier phases, dating to the early centuries AD, showed evidence of both enclosed and unenclosed settlements. Archaeological finds numbered around 2,000 items, painting a picture of a thriving community of skilled craftspeople who balanced their artisanal work with agricultural pursuits; a testament to the sophisticated society that once called this coastal location home.
The site continues to yield secrets about Ireland's past. In 1980, winter storms exposed additional habitation material in the sandhills west of Cloghastuckan, including metal slag, animal bones, and fire-cracked stones embedded in charcoal, suggesting metalworking activities took place here. These discoveries, combined with the extensive collection from the main excavation, establish this sandy peninsula as a significant centre of Early Historic activity, offering valuable insights into how communities lived, worked, and buried their dead during this formative period of Irish history.