Rock art, Carrowreagh or Craignacally, Co. Donegal

At least six cupmarks, small circular depressions carved into the stone surface, decorate this ancient canvas. These enigmatic symbols were documented by researcher Van Hoek in 1988, who noted the outcrop's position just east of another recorded archaeological site in the area.

Cupmarks represent one of the simplest yet most widespread forms of rock art found across Ireland and beyond. Created by pecking or grinding circular hollows into stone surfaces, these markings date from the Neolithic period through to the Bronze Age, roughly 4000 to 1000 BCE. Whilst their exact purpose remains unknown, theories range from territorial markers and astronomical maps to ritual sites where offerings were placed.

The Carrowreagh site forms part of Donegal's rich archaeological landscape, where numerous examples of prehistoric rock art have been recorded. These ancient markings offer a tangible connection to the communities who once inhabited this rugged northwestern corner of Ireland, leaving their mark on the landscape in ways we're still trying to fully understand. The site was formally compiled into archaeological records by Caimin O'Brien in May 2010, ensuring its preservation for future study and appreciation.