Barnabah Cup-marked Standing Stone is between Skibbereen and Baltimore. It is in a saddle of the ridge of high ground that is just west of Lough Hyne and south of Knockomagh.
The 2m tall stone, with twenty cupmarks on it, is in a wall which runs along the south foot of a gorse covered rock rib.
Above the pair, is a rock-art site (CO150-028: 11 cupmarks and an L-shaped depression) that may well represent another observing position although this possibility has not been checked.
The local ridge is rocky and sports some rock art. It is not really pointed, the distortion is caused by lack of survey points.
South is on the right hand side of a hill [Pic]. The south lunar major
standstillLunistice positions vary cyclically over an 18.6 year period but are fairly static for more than a year at either end of the range
rising and setting is marked by hilltops.
North major standstills are on the slopes of a local ridge the exact profile of which is hidden. North appears to be at the highest point [Pic].
To the north-east, the cross-quarters are on a hilltop and lunar minor standstill is in a dip.
From there the horizon slopes up to a hilltop which is a quarter-month beyond the cross-quarters, then undulates usefully for a little before becoming obscured.
The shallow dip of the eastern horizon has the equinox at a break in the middle with the steps to either side being a quarter month away from it.
The equinox / summer cross-quarter midpoint on a prominent hilltop.
The south-east is dominated by a nearby hill, the very top of which marks the major end of the
lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. cycle.
South is on a left to right slope with hilltops either side indicating the major standtill rising and setting positions.
Clear Island is plainly visible to the south-west and its intersect with the sea marks the winter cross-quarters.
Southwards of that the horizon rises and undulates usefully to a hilltop where
Ballymacrown Standing Stone would stand out clearly with the moon behind it.
To the west, a sea horizon is largely obscured. The land/sea intersect is somewhere near the Equinox / Winter Cross-Quarter midpoint but the entire north-west is overgrown.
This site is coastal, close to an inlet (Lough Hyne) and relatively isolated from others of its type.
- Oldcourt Boulder-Burial, 3km to the north, close to the Ilen estuary is the nearest megalithic monument of any type.
- Foherlagh Stone Pair is 7.6km inland to the north-north-west.
- Gurteenaduige Stone Pair 16.1km to the north-east is near an inlet
- Gurranes Stone Row, about half-way to the last named is near an inlet.
References
- Archaeological Survey of Ireland, record details. www.archaeology.ie/archaeological-survey-ireland
- FINLAY, F. 1973 The Rock Art of Cork and Kerry. Unpublished M.A. Thesis, Cork University Library. pp105-106.
- POWER, D. et al. 1992 Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, Volume 1: West Cork. Dublin: Stationary Office. p97, no.810.