Images (5)
Fieldnotes (2)

Images

Image of Magher ny Clogh Mooar (Standing Stone / Menhir) by Ravenfeather

Taken on 4th March 2012. The gorse hedges in the background hide the footpath we approached the monument on.

Image credit: Paul Kesterton

Ravenfeather Mar 11, 2012

Image of Magher ny Clogh Mooar (Standing Stone / Menhir) by Kammer

Taken 24th August 2003: Magher ny Clogh Mooar from the north east with Slieau Curn behind it.

Image credit: Simon Marshall

Kammer Oct 29, 2003

Taken 24th August 2003: The plough damaged outlying stone (possibly of no significance whatsoever) with Magher ny Clogh Mooar behind it.

Image credit: Simon Marshall

Kammer Oct 29, 2003

Taken 24th August 2003: The stone from the north. Not a great photograph really, but it does show the stripes on this side of the stone, and the ‘bulbous root’ of the stone (very weird).

Image credit: Simon Marshall

Kammer Oct 29, 2003

Taken 24th August 2003: Magher ny Clogh Mooar from the south east, with it’s strange bulbous root clearly visible.

Image credit: Simon Marshall

Kammer Oct 29, 2003

Articles

Magher ny Clogh Mooar

Standing Stone / Menhir

Ravenfeather Mar 11, 2012

Visited 4th March 2012

Parking up in the small village of Ballugh outside the church of St Mary, the bells were calling the faithful to Sunday morning service, but we were in search of a place of older gods...

Taking the footpath opposite the church a pleasant walk down a tree lined path takes us over a stream and soon the asphalt lane becomes a mud track, with high gorse hedges shielding the fields. The OS map indicates the stone will be to our left, but the embanked gorse makes it maddeningly difficult to see anything.

Soon however a conspicuously trampled path up the bank where there is a gap in the gorse allows me to spot the stone. There is no sign of any gate into the field, but with the Ravenfeather mantra of ‘It’s not a visit unless you can hug the stone!’ ringing in my head, I endeavor to clamber over the bank and fence to gain access to the field. Trying not to do myself an injury on the barbed wire I step over the low fence, but Ellen very sensibly elects to stay on the bank to view the stone from afar.

A short trek over the ploughed field brings me to the stone. Well ooh err missus! This is one of the most phallic stones I’ve seen, the bulbous bit of stone at the base (use your imagination) and veiny, ridged (for her pleasure) sides, adding somewhat to the effect, and not for nothing is it known as ‘Mannanan’s cock’. It must be around 6’ in height and fairly chunky. A fine and unusual stone to visit, it’s just a shame the field it stands in isn’t more accessible.

Magher ny Clogh Mooar

Standing Stone / Menhir

Kammer Nov 6, 2003

Visited 24th August 2003: We approached the stone from the north west(ish). It’s just about visible from the footpath, but I made a slight deviation to get a closer look at it (not a very accessible site).

Magher ny Clogh Mooar is a beautiful and strangely shaped monolith. Strikingly it has a large bulbous protuberance at its base. On the south side are diagonal stripes, which appear to be the natural strata of the stone. Magher ny Clogh Mooar stands on relatively flat land in the shadow of Slieau Curn between it and the sea. Not far from the standing stone lies a smaller flat rounded stone, severely damaged by ploughing. Whether or not this bears any relation to its neighbour I don’t know.