The prehistoric stone at Ballynoe in County Limerick has been lying on its side for some time now, measuring 1.1 metres in length and roughly 0.44 metres by 0.28 metres in cross-section, modest dimensions that would not have drawn much attention even when the stone was erect. What gives it a certain melancholy interest is the record of its slow decline: as far back as 1840, the Ordnance Survey Name Books noted it was already tilting, "not standing perpendicular but inclined a little to the east." Sometime between that observation and the present day, it gave up the effort entirely.

The stone now lies at the western side of the summit of Knockdoha barrow, a prehistoric burial mound with its own separate monument record. Barrows, which are earthen or stone-covered mounds raised over ancient burials, were sometimes accompanied by standing stones, though the precise relationship between the two features here is not documented in the available records. The site was compiled by Denis Power and uploaded to the national record in August 2011, and it carries a preservation order under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014, issued as order number 4/1973, meaning the monument enjoys legal protection despite its fallen state. An aerial photograph of the site was taken by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland in September 2002.

Knockdoha is the landmark to look for when approaching the site, as the barrow sits at its summit and the stone lies to the western side of that high point. Given its recumbent position and modest size, the stone is easy to overlook if you are not expecting it, particularly in summer when vegetation is high. Visiting in late autumn or early spring, when ground cover is lower, gives a clearer view of both the stone and the barrow's overall form. The site is subject to a preservation order, so the stone should not be moved or disturbed in any way.