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Cúchulainn's Stone

Clochafarmore Standing Stone is an impressive monument standing at over 3m high and 1.3m wide. It is believed that standing stones may mark locations where great events took place and this stone is traditionally associated with the greatest hero of Irish folklore - Cúchulainn. It is located in Knockbridge County Louth, Cúchulainn is the principal character of the epic Irish saga the Táin Bó Cuailgne (The Cattle Raid of Cooley). In this tale Cúchulainn defends Ulster from the forces of Queen Maeve of Connacht. According to legend Cúchulainn, who was fatally wounded, tied himself to this standing stone so that he could stay upright and face the opposing army. Even after his death, Cúchulainn's enemies would not approach the stone for fear he was still alive. It was not until Morrigan (the Celtic goddess of War and Death) appeared in the form of a raven and landed on his shoulder that they were sure he was dead. A bronze statue of this scene by Oliver Sheppard stands in the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, Dublin. This monument is Bronze Age and pre dates the Iron Age legend of Cúchulainn by many centuries and represents an attempt to interpret an existing, ancient landscape. The name Clochafarmore comes from the Irish Cloch an Fhir Mhóir meaning 'Stone of the Big Man'. The field where it is located is locally called 'The Field of Slaughter'.

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