Turoe Stone, Co. Galway

Location: Situated: About 5 miles North of Loughrea Co Galway. Take the R350 North from Loughrea towards New Inn. As you come into the village of Bullaun you take a left turn (signposted Turoe stone). The stone is situated in the side yard of a Pet farm about 1/2 mile up this road on the right hand side.

Description: The Turoe Stone is considered to be a decorated ritual stone. This granite boulder stands at about a meter tall, phallic shaped and is beautifully carved with in a curvilinear design in an art style known as La Tene from the first to third centuries B.C. Beneath the swirling pattern is a greek key design, with the patterns carved in a technique known as poking. The base 30 cm or so are devoid of any decoration. The stone is set in a concrete pad and is further surrounded by a cattle grid. Although known as the Turoe stone this is not the original location. The stone was removed from an Iron Age ring fort, the Rath of Feerwore a few miles away.

The Turoe stone is one of the finest examples of these ritual stones in Europe. There is another ritual stone in the area at Castlestrange, Co Roscommon, also decorated with a curvilinear design but this stone is incised rather than carved in relief.

Comments: The stone is actually easier to find by following the signs to the Pet Farm. The stone is in the yard on the opposite side of the home/office from the large carpark of the Pet Farm. There are all sorts of exotic and domestic animals here, though admission is charged for touring the farm. There is no charge to examine the Turoe Stone. We were greeted by friendly kittens the day we were there, a very chilly drizzly day. Great for cuddling kittens, but not especially good for photographing the truly spectacular carving of this stone.