1907 267 



FURTHER NOTE ON THE ROSTELLAN CROMLEAC. 



BY R. WELCH, M.R.I.A. 



Owing to its strange position between tides, which makes it 

 an object of high geological interest, and the fact that it was 

 not marked on any map, our visit to this fine memorial was 

 looked foiward to with great interest, especially by those of 

 the party who study archaeological matters as well as geology. 

 This interest was heightened when I found that there exists 

 no accurate published account of the cromleac, and that, while 

 it was known to an earlier generation of Cork archaeologists, 

 it is practically unknown to the present generation. There is 

 no mention of it in Crofton Croker's " Researches in the 

 South of Ireland," in either edition of Windele's " Notices of 

 the City of Cork and its Vicinity," nor in either edition of 

 Smith's " History of the County and City of Cork." It 

 seemed incredible that such an important memorial could 

 have been overlooked by such keen old workers as Crofton 

 Croker and Windele. Yet the former evidently did not know 

 of its existence, and it was only after some search Mr. Hinch 

 and I came on proof that Windele knew of the memorial in 

 his later years, for, in his MSS. (Supplementary Vol. 2, Library 

 of Royal Irish Academy), on page 665, he gives — " Rostellan 

 April 8, i860 — With R. Brash to Rostellan to inspect the 

 restored Cromleac. Met Rev. G. A. Bolster at Dunkettle 

 Station. This ancient remain stands on the shore of the 

 Saleen Creek, in the Rostellan demesne, and facing James- 

 brook (R. W. Goold Adams's) [sic]. Its existence was 

 unknown until Dr. Wise discovered it, the uprights erect but 

 the table stone fallen. With excellent taste he caused the 

 latter to be re-erected, and it now presents an interesting 

 object to the view from different points of approach. Its site 

 is at present washed by ever} 7 tide, showing that since its 

 erection the sea has encroached on the land here. Dr. Wise 

 intends exploring the enclosed space, but I think it is now 

 too late. This should have been done before the tabular 

 stone was raised." He follows with dimensions and a very 

 good pen-and-ink sketch. 



