Kildare Ireland

There are eight remarkable monolithic pillar stones of granite, in Co. Kildare. One of these is situated close to Punchestown Racecourse, and measures 19 ft. in height, another is placed in the centre of a ring fort known as the Longstone Rath, at Furness, near Naas. This ring fort was excavated in 1911 ; close to the standing stone, which reaches a height of 17 ft. above the ground, a stone cist was discovered containing a Bronze-Age burial. There can be little doubt that in this case the pillar stone marked the grave of some person of importance. The fort was probably used as a kind of temple, where ceremonial games were celebrated round the burial place, rather than as a defensive structure.

Posted on April 16th, 2008 under Antique. Tags: Adamnans Cross, Castledermot, County Kildary, cross, Curragh, Longstone Rath, Moone Abbey, Naas, pillar stone, Punchestown Racecourse, Richard earl of Pembroke. Comments: None