Clonfinlough Stone, Rock art national monument in County Offaly, Ireland

The Clonfinlough Stone is a glacial erratic of Carboniferous Limestone lying flat on the southern slope of Esker Hill. It measures 3 m by 2.45 m by 0.75 m and weighs about 14 tonnes. Incised into its surface are crosses, cup-marks, a circle divided in two, the letters DOD and three impressions of feet.

The stone dates from the Bronze Age, making it between 3500 and 2500 years old. Archaeological excavations in the area revealed a settlement with a large palisaded enclosure and circular houses once stood nearby.

The crosses carved on the stone resemble medieval carvings on the Iberian Peninsula, and Clonmacnoise, 3.5 km away, was linked to the Camino de Santiago. Some of the marks may therefore have been cut by Christian pilgrims travelling that route in the 13th or 14th century.

You can reach the stone via a marked path starting from St Kieran's Church, making access straightforward for most visitors. A small parking area for a couple of vehicles sits nearby along the roadside.

The surface displays three foot impressions and the letters DOD, alongside a split-year sign showing a circle divided into two sections. This mix of symbols is uncommon and makes this stone particularly intriguing for visitors interested in examining carved inscriptions closely.