Ballymote

Of all the monuments in Waterford, Standing Stones (also known as Monoliths) are the most numerous and this one at Ballymote is the tallest at a height of 3.7 metres. With its tapered profile, it stands on a ridge amid a pleasant landscape of low hills and pastures 5km from Tramore. This very impressive monolith can be seen from a distance as you approach along a narrow country road. The stone is oriented in a WNW-ESE direction and has been compared to the "Long Meg" standing stone in Cumbria, England which has both a similar profile and height.

There is every possibility that the Ballymote stone may have been quarried from a large rock outcrop which is closeby to the north.

In the same field, just 90 metres to the south west, is an overgrown flat topped earth and stone mound (tumulus).

It has a diameter at the top of 8.3metres NS and 7.8metres EW. At the base it’s 18 metres NS and 17 metres EW. The height of the mound ranges from 2.6 – 3.0 metres. It has been classified as a Mound Barrow.

It’s quite likely that there may have been some connection between this mound and the nearby Standing Stone.

Mound at Ballymote

Directions: Take the N25 from Waterford City till you reach the junction for the R682 turnoff (signposted) for Tramore. Travel about 3.5km on this road to the 4^th crossroads and turn right. Then take the first right turn. Shortly after the turn you will see the stone in a field to your right.

Click for Aardvark Map

 Other sites in this area - Ballinaclogh,  Gaulstown, Matthewstown