257 



Fig. 3. 



.... 1LJ.UUL 



terrace, is another pillar stone (No. 4), standing about five feet above the 

 surface ; it is nearly square, and presents no feature of interest, except 

 that at its eastern edge there are some scores, perhaps the remains 

 of an Ogham inscription. On 

 the second terrace, above this 

 stone, is an irregular-shaped 

 flag (No. 3). It is of coarse 

 greenstone, very rough and 

 hard, and much weather-worn. 

 An Ogham inscription is carried 

 up the two sides and top. As 

 it has been most carefully exa- 

 mined, the annexed engraving 

 is a faithful copy of the scores 

 now existing on this curious 

 monument. 



Crossing the mound, and 

 over the site of the church, on 

 the plateau at the north-east, 

 stands an oblong, rough, flag- 

 like stone, three feet nine inches 

 over the surface, and about two 

 feet wide, having a plain cross, 

 incised by wide shallow lines, 

 twenty-two inches long by fif- 

 teen across the arms. 



There are some such flags 

 in the neighbourhood — at Dun- 

 boyke and Kilranelagh — and 

 likely belong to a very remote 

 period, as they have not any of 

 the characteristics of mediaeval 

 art. Near this is another pil- 

 lar stone, not more than 2 J 

 feet above the surface, on the 

 top of which is to be seen an indentation resembling the trace of a 

 dog's paw, as if impressed on a very soft surface. This stone was ex- 

 cavated from some depth, but any traces of scores or inscription were not 

 recognised. Some years ago it was much higher above the surface, and 

 its sinking is likely due to carelessness in making the graves, which lie 

 about in profusion. A very curious legend is told about this stone. 

 Tradition says that it marks the grave of Cormac King of Munster, 

 whose name is an affix to that of the cemetery where he rests ; it more- 

 over states that he was carried to Killeen Cormac by a team of bullocks, 

 which were allowed to follow their own instinct — a mode of settling dis- 

 putes regarding sepulture not uncommon among the ancient Irish. The 

 same tradition, though unable to state at what period or under what cir- 



