Many Irish stones have a history of being white washed (if you can't afford a nice bit of quartz, what else can you do?)

It is said that the high crosses were probably painted and, as some standing stones may only be from 700 years earlier (Iron Age boundary/way markers) than the earliest high crosses, I don't see why some of them shouldn't have been decorated.

I remember someone suggesting that the cairn kerbs made of stone that can't be carved easily, such as those at Carrowkeel, could either have been painted or maybe had colourful rugs draped over them when ceremonies were held.