Finn McCool's Fingers, Prehistoric stone formation in Bailieborough-Cootehill, Ireland
Finn McCool's Fingers comprises five standing stones positioned in a southeast to northwest alignment on Shantemon Mountain in County Cavan. The stones rise from open moorland and create a simple but striking line across the ridge of the hill.
The stones date to prehistoric times when megalithic structures were built across Ireland for territorial and ceremonial purposes. Over thousands of years, they remained standing on the mountainside while the landscape around them transformed.
The site takes its name from Fionn mac Cumhaill, a legendary warrior leader in Irish folklore whose stories are still told across the country. This naming shows how ancient rocks became connected to the heroes of local tradition over centuries.
The site is accessible through marked walking trails that cross the open moorland and hillsides of County Cavan. Weather conditions change quickly in this upland area, so appropriate footwear and windproof clothing are important for a comfortable visit.
The five stones align with solar events such as the sunrise or sunset at specific times of the year. This astronomical orientation hints that the builders had a sophisticated understanding of how the sky moves and changes through the seasons.
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