Has anyone ever
hear of "The Kings Stone" in the River Suir near Knockgraffon / Cahir
in South Tipp?It is referenced in
the book The Suir - from its Source to Sea by L.M. McGrath with the attached
photo of it (which is pretty inconclusive to me in terms of location).
Why is it
important?Well it is said
that it was the stone on which the most ancient ancestor (Fiacha Muilleathan)
of the Eoganachta or original Kings of Munster was born. Seemingly being born
here on a stone between boundaries was to fulfil a prophecy.
In McGrath's book
it says "It lies in the river-bed within sight of the mote, not far from
where Ballydrehid House now stands." (The mote being Knockgraffon).
There is nothing
marked on the old OS maps in the river near Ballydrehid House but there is to
the north of Knockgraffon Motte on the River Suir.
There is a stone
marked in the river and described in the SMR as follows ""Indicated
as a rock or outcrop in the River Suir, adjacent to the N bank, on the 1st
(1840) and 1900-05 ed. OS 6-inch map and named 'Cloghnahenar' [An chloch ina
h'aonar; literally translated as: Stone on its own]. It appears to have marked
a fording point which is indicated on the 1st ed. OS 6-inch map. The river was
swollen at time of inspection and the stone was not visible. Church
(TS068-098----) located c. 300m to N and enclosure possible (TS068-099----)
located c. 310m to NE."
However you would
imagine that the SMR might mention it in relation to the Eoghanachta legend?
Plus how does its name tie in with that story (if it is it)?
So I'm looking for
any local knowledge about the location of the Kings stone in the River Suir?
I had read about it
in McGraths book but it was brought back to my attention on another facebook
group by a poster there who is also keen to discover its whereabouts.
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