County Tipperary 9
Image by bawn79
County Tipperary

Tipp Bullauns — Mr Bawn79!

Hob H
Hob Nov 7, 2007 20:55:04
Replying to bawn79

bawn79 wrote:
However I do believe that in the search for bullaun stones in Ireland that there is the possiblity of finding some rock-art that has been overlooked.
It's gotta be worth a look hasn't it?

Fwiw, I reckon you're right. I'm intrigued by bullauns (Though annoyingly ain't ever seen one in the real) 'cos they seem like they could be a continuation of the 'big basin' feature that often pops up in association with bona fide rock art in Northumberland and Kilmartin. There are a few RA sites that have what could easily be described (and probably have been by a certain Mr FW) as proto-bullauns. Sometimes the academically approved RA is only metres away. Sometimes it's only inches away:
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/38575/images/football_cairn_e.html

Given the christian propensity for dipping people's heads in water, I reckon there's a fair chance the early christian bullauns could easily be older basins that were appropriated for head dipping duties.

Personally speaking, I am loving the whole bullaun thing. More please :)

S StoneGloves
StoneGloves Nov 7, 2007 21:16:31
Replying to Hob

'More' -you don't mean that. In theory I own a basin but haven't the strength to wheelbarrow it a good mile over rough tracks to the roadhead. The shallow basin is in the shape of a stonecircle. It could be Iron Age but is curiously porous so that water filters away - overnight, say. The sides have been faceted similar to those small churchard ones.

F fitzcoraldo
fitzcoraldo Nov 7, 2007 22:47:33
Replying to Hob

"Though annoyingly ain't ever seen one in the real"

It would be nice if we could track this fella down
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/19403/images/copt_howe.html

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