The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

Shantemon

Stone Row / Alignment

Fieldnotes

This stone row was marked on my Ireland Road Map and since I was in Cavan town I decided to investigate. After following the map I came to a parking area with a half buried sign for 'Finn McCool's Fingers' which sounded like it could be what I was looking for or else Birdseye had dumped good ole' Captain Birdseye and rebranded. Luckily my first guess was correct.

The steep track up the hill must be treacherous in bad weather but it was well trampled, this site seems popular with someone. The forest marked on the map has been mostly cleared save for a few fallen trees blocking the track at the top of the hill but once you get to the site the views are very expansive.

The stones themselves are not massively tall (highest is just short of six foot) but are quite bulky and its easy to see why they were given the nickname. Four standing stones form a row with a low fallen/natural stone at the rear and a few metres in front of the row is what looks like a natural outcrop which is around a foot high but very wide and quite flat. In all the arrangement does resemble five fingers and a thumb (the outcrop) sticking out from the hill below.

There was evidence of recent fires and other alcohol fuelled activity here but the stones are untouched and the rest of the plateau is untouched. A nice place to sit in the mid-day sun but maybe not as hospitable on a rainy/windy day.

To get here follow the R188 from Cavan to Cootehill under the new bypass bridge, take the next right turn to the very small crossroads, turn left and keep going over the hill for about 2km until you see a small sign (Finn McCools fingers) on the right in the hedge in a small parking area. Park here and hike up the hillside track and turn left over the stiles, the track brings you straight to the stones.
CianMcLiam Posted by CianMcLiam
22nd March 2006ce
Edited 23rd March 2006ce

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