Now, I mentioned in a recent newsletter, that I might give some information on ‘The Timoney Stones’ of Tipperary, but the truth is that these stones remain very much a mystery. Archaeologists don’t even know when they were originally erected, most estimate somewhere between the late Neolithic or earlier Bronze age (approx. 3,300 - 550BC, give or take a few centuries). Some speculate that they may even have been famine follies (pointless labour landlords would get starving peasants to perform for income during Ireland’s ‘Great Famine,’ 1845 – 52, when there was no other work for them to do). This is due to their seemingly random placements compared with other ancient stone arrangements throughout the country. However, such observations can equally be argued against, as famine follies tended to be carried out with some level of regularity, regardless of their lack of purpose.

I was fortunate enough to stop off at the Timoney Hills in search of these enigmatic stones while visiting some of my midland relatives (shout out to Anita) last August. So, with the help of my cousin, Laeg, and both of us keeping a watchful eye out for bulls and other creatures best left undisturbed, we managed to uncover a handful of these standing stones whilst exploring (trespassing) the fields of Timoney Hill.

However, ordnance surveys, have counted over a hundred standing stones in the locality, and at one point it is believed there were up to 300 of them proudly placed.

If they are as old as most archaeologists theorise, then they were likely positioned to act as markers of a boundary, or as headstones, in much the same way as many of today’s purposefully placed still stones do. It is entirely possible they were used for ritualistic purposes. Perhaps to mark the passing of time, or more curiously still, for rites of passage, maybe even life and death itself.

The Timoney Stones

Carrowkeel

N.W. Bulfin