On our recent trip with two of my junior Ruinhunters, we were driving up towards Aghaboe Abbey. just before we arrived I noticed a stone in a field to the left hand side which I had not noticed on my last visit to the Abbey some years ago. When we arrived at the Abbey there was some tour going on inside the Abbey so I brought the two little ones back down to have a look at the stone. I’m a little annoyed about this particular stone as I cannot find any mention of it, even with the National Monuments Service. Is it a Standing Stone, or a scratching post for animals? Perhaps it might even be a folly! I have heard that about a century ago it was common practise for land owners to construct faux heritage sites on their lands in the hope that it would increase the value.
Having visited quite a number of these remarkable stones on the last few years, I’m still not sure of this stone. On the fantastic website StandingStone, this stone is mentioned with similar caution, although it is claimed that a number of archaeologists confirmed its antiquity, but speculated that this was not its original location. And so the mystery continues. Anyway moving on, in an attempt to distract Ava And Ryan from taking numerous selfies of themselves with their latest find, I made the most of our being there and ended up having an interesting discussion with Ryan. After explaining the many theories about these standing stones which I have explained in previous articles, the topic moved on to God. Ryan whom recently made his first communion, was shocked to learn that not everyone believed in God! Then the question I had been trying my best to avoid reared his ugly head. ‘Daddy, Do you believe in God’,? Its one of those many times that being a parent can put you on the spot. Trying not to burst his bubble regarding religion, we had a quick chat about religious tolerance and how many different religions existed around the world. He seemed to accept the idea that its ok for people to have different beliefs as long as they don’t force them on others.
Many will know that these ancient sites hold a special place for me, I get quite giddy when I come across them for the first time and although we may never understand their true purpose, we can still in this modern day filled with technology have a respect for these awesome sites. For those whom have missed my previous to various standing stones you can check them out by clicking on the following links.
Craddockstown West Standing Stone
Longstone of Punchestown Great
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Ed Mooney Photography 
I just loved the story that went with your photos Ed. 🙂
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Ah Thanks Sue, so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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I love this post Ed! The image of your lovely children dancing around the stone, innocent and carefree, gave me shivers! Especially with the colour treatment you gave it.
You may not have been able to find out much about it, but we can still enjoy the mystery and enigma of it. What presence it has in that broad, flat landscape!
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Thanks Ali, I was disappointed with this one. Normally I get a feeling around these ancient sites, be it a raw energy or a sense of reverence. Sadly this was not to be on this occasion, but the kids loved it and hopefully learned some of their culture so a good result in the end 🙂
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I know what you mean. I think its because it has been tampered with. I felt the same when I first visited the Lia Fail.
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Exactly, the fakes don’t hold the same qualities as the real thing. It amazing. When you finish your trilogy you should start an encyclopedia of Irish Mythology. Now that would be brilliant 🙂
I don’t have a good head for making sense of half the nonsense in the old texts. Even Lady Gregory’s can be hard reading at times. You have a knack at getting the story across in a clearly understandable and entertaining way 🙂
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Thank you! I had thought of something along those lines, actually… also, a Conor Kelly Guide to Ancient Places of Irish Mythology… perhaps this could be a collaboration project, I’ll provide the stories and you can provide the images, lol!!!
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No problem, would be my pleasure:-)
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Thanks for the link to Standing Stone, but even with that and a google search, I still don’t have a great understanding of why single Standing Stones exist? A marker of place or … ?
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Its a good question and one that we may never have a difinitive answer. There are many theories which include place markers, monuments to someone or something. Some even suggest that they might have been used to tell the time, like an old sun dial? The truth is we dont really know. An old Druid friend of mine once explained to me that these stones were used like accupuncture needles in the earth to harness the natural energies of the planet. Perhaps thats why I feel a buildup of energy when I visit these sites? 🙂
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So many theories and possibilities. Fascinating! I like the accupuncture idea 🙂
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Me to its kinda cool. What amazes me is how did these supposedly unadvanced people learn aboout these natural technologies, when we as a suppossedly advanced race know feck all?
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Beautiful editing! love the selective saturation,
“the idea that its ok for people to have different beliefs as long as they don’t force them on others.”
If only all parents taught like you, and all kids accepted that idea, the future of the world would be in safe hands. 🙂
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Ah Thanks Krithya, glad you liked them. 🙂
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