The picturesque valley of Derrynablaha on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry is littered with a huge number of pretty ordinary sandstone outcrops and boulders. But, as well as its dramatic scenery of overbearing mountains, babbling streams and a small lake, the valley also offers the dedicated and patient antiquarian a treasure trove of late neolithic/early bronze age rock art hidden amongst the scattered rocks.

Probably the most spectacular panel is the profusely carved tabletop-like outcrop designated Panel 5. On two of its three levels it features an arrary of cup and rings, some with many pennanular rings and gutters, arcs and linear grooves.

Below is a selection of panels found during a visit in April 2007.

The full panel 5, top and lower level.

Panel 5, top surface

Panel 5 top surface, looking east across the valley.

Panel 5, Top surface

Panel 5

Panel 5, Top surface

Panel 6, just south of Panel 5, features a very rare (in Ireland) motif of a central cup surrounded by a circle of cup marks inside circular rings. This motif is more closely associated with the abundant rock art found in the Kilmartin Valley area of Scotland, particularly at Ormaig.

Panel 6

Panel 7 features cup mark arrangements and two or three cups with single rings. Some pick working is also visible in lines and patterns.

Panel 15

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