Standing stone, Fegart, Co. Donegal

The rectangular pillar measures 3.04 metres high, 1.06 metres wide, and just 18 centimetres thick; a slender giant that has withstood centuries of Atlantic tides. What makes this standing stone particularly intriguing is its unusual location in the water itself, rather than on dry land where most prehistoric monuments are found.

Local tradition firmly maintains that this is an ancient monument rather than a maritime navigation marker, though its placement in tidal waters naturally invites speculation about its original purpose. The stone would have been erected during prehistoric times, likely during the Bronze Age when such monuments were commonly raised across Ireland, though the exact date remains unknown. Its survival in such an exposed marine environment speaks to both the skill of its creators and the durability of the local stone.

The site was documented as part of the Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, a comprehensive cataloguing effort completed in 1983 that recorded field antiquities from the Mesolithic period through to the 17th century. Whether the stone was always surrounded by water or whether coastal changes have led to its current maritime setting remains a matter of debate amongst archaeologists. Visitors hoping to see this unusual monument should time their visit with the tides, as the stone's visibility and accessibility depend entirely on the water levels around Fegart Point.