Corr Aille Spiral Rock Art

Summary: The Corr Aille Spiral is a Bronze Age rock art site along a pre-Christian pilgrimage route on the Dingle peninsula. It has a single spiral or "cup and ring" motif.

  • Site type: Rock engraving
  • Number of motifs: 1
  • Motif/s: Cup-and-Ring
  • Quality: 4/5
  • Condition of site: Good
  • Year first recorded: 2011

This Bronze Age rock art site is located along the Eastern Pilgrim Route to Mount Brandon, known as the Cosán na Naomh (or the Saints’ Road) between Cill Mhic an Domhnaigh and Séipéilín Bréanainn on the summit of Mount Brandon.

IMG 7109 LR Corr Aille Spiral Rock Art

Only discovered fairly recently in 2011, the Corr Aille Spiral is unusual as it’s the only known example of a spiral motif found on its own on the Dingle Peninsula. It’s possible that the spiral may have been a route marker for the pilgrimage to Mount Brandon that formed part of the Festival of Lughnasa, a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season (which pre-dates the Christian pilgrimage route).

IMG 7110 LR Corr Aille Spiral Rock Art

Getting to the Corr Aille Spiral Rock Art

Located in a saddle between Rinn Chonaill (to the south-east) and a lower summit (to the west), the rock art site is accessed by the pilgrimage trail which ascends from Kilmalkedar Church. The trailhead is just off the Slea Head Drive (R559) and 9km (10min drive) from the town of Dingle.

IMG 7083 LR Corr Aille Spiral Rock Art
IMG 7094 LR Corr Aille Spiral Rock Art

The route is indicated by yellow markers, as it crosses multiple stone walls between fields.. There is no trail for most of the way, and it can get a bit boggy in places. On a clear day, there are nice views over the area.

IMG 7095 LR Corr Aille Spiral Rock Art
IMG 7096 LR Corr Aille Spiral Rock Art
IMG 7097 LR Corr Aille Spiral Rock Art

The spiral is found on a conspicuous rock outcrop, on an upright portion of the rock which is surrounded by heath (52.19361, -10.32384). 

IMG 7111 enhanced LR Corr Aille Spiral Rock Art
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