On our recent trip with two of my junior Ruinhunters, we were driving up towards Aghaboe Abbey. just before we arrived I noticed a stone in a field to the left hand side which I had not noticed on my last visit to the Abbey some years ago. When we arrived at the Abbey there was some tour going on inside the Abbey so I brought the two little ones back down to have a look at the stone. I’m a little annoyed about this particular stone as I cannot find any mention of it, even with the National Monuments Service. Is it a Standing Stone, or a scratching post for animals? Perhaps it might even be a folly! I have heard that about a century ago it was common practise for land owners to construct faux heritage sites on their lands in the hope that it would increase the value.

Having visited quite a number of these remarkable stones on the last few years, I’m still not sure of this stone. On the fantastic website StandingStone, this stone is mentioned with similar caution, although it is claimed that a number of archaeologists confirmed its antiquity, but speculated that this was not its original location. And so the mystery continues. Anyway moving on, in an attempt to distract Ava And Ryan from taking numerous selfies of themselves with their latest find, I made the most of our being there and ended up having an interesting discussion with Ryan. After explaining the many theories about these standing stones which I have explained in previous articles, the topic moved on to God. Ryan whom recently made his first communion, was shocked to learn that not everyone believed in God! Then the question I had been trying my best to avoid reared his ugly head. ‘Daddy, Do you believe in God’,? Its one of those many times that being a parent can put you on the spot. Trying not to burst his bubble regarding religion, we had a quick chat about religious tolerance and how many different religions existed around the world. He seemed to accept the idea that its ok for people to have different beliefs as long as they don’t force them on others.

Many will know that these ancient sites hold a special place for me, I get quite giddy when I come across them for the first time and although we may never understand their true purpose, we can still in this modern day filled with technology have a respect for these awesome sites. For those whom have missed my previous to various standing stones you can check them out by clicking on the following links.

Kilgowan Standing Stone

Craddockstown West Standing Stone

Longstone of Punchestown Great

Boherboy Stone Pair

Johnstown Standing Stone

Mullaghmast Longstone

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