Clochafarmore is a standing stone and National Monument in County Louth, Ireland.

This standing stone is traditionally associated with the death in battle of the mythical hero CúChulainn.

Legend has it CúChulainn was killed here. As he was dying, CúChulainn tied himself to the stone so he could face his enemies, continuing to fight even as he died.

This field has become known locally as the “Field of Slaughter”.

In the 1920s, a bronze spearhead was found near the stone. Unfortunately, the spearhead was given to parish priest and not a museum and has since been lost.

CúChulainn’s Stone (or Clochafarmore) stands 3 meters, 10 feet, tall and approximately 1.3 meters, 5 feet wide.

The phallic stone itself was likely erected in the Bronze Age, 1000 BC and 500 AD. There is little hard evidence of its origin, early use or cultural significance.

This monument pre-dates the Iron Age legend of CúChulainn. The legend told today likely represents an attempt to interpret an existing, ancient landscape. The name Clochafarmore comes from the Irish Cloch an Fhir Mhóir, meaning “Stone of the Big Man”. The field where it is located is known locally as “The Field of Slaughter”.

On that day we visited the Field of Slaughter was planted with potatoes that were awaiting harvest.

One odd feature of the stone is name, Jim McKenna, and the date 1912 that has been chiseled vertically on one side of the stone. Who McKenna was and why is name was carved into the stone is not explained in any of the source materials on this stone, although there are mentions of it.

On the day we visited a hurling stick has been left at the base of the stone. McKenna may have been an early 20th century champion hurler from County Louth.

If you have any information about who McKenna was, please tell us in the comments.

Although the standing stone is in a private farm field, there is an information sign and stile entrance allowing access to the site of the national monument. Entering the field does require a small climb to clear the stile.

Clochafarmore Standing Stone, Co. Louth
Nearest Town: Knockbridge
Townland: Rathiddy
GPS coordinates:
Latitude: 53° 58′ 28.25″ N
Longitude: 6° 27′ 57.18 W

Links and sources:

Curious Ireland
https://curiousireland.ie/cuchulainn-…

It’s My Ireland – YouTube channel:
• Clochafarmore Sta…

Megalithic Ireland website –
http://www.megalithicireland.com/Cloc…

Voice From The Dawn website:
https://voicesfromthedawn.com/clochaf…

Google Maps location:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?…