The stone probably was of ritual importance to pagan people, yet it was built into the wall of a Christian church.The Derrykeighan Stone is incised with a beautiful symbol created 2,000 years ago by the people living in the northern region of Ireland.
It was discovered in 1977 in the ruins of the old church at Derrykeighan. It is unclear if the people who built the church in the seventeenth century placed it there by accident or deliberately.
The unique design is an early example of Celtic art. It was carved on the stone during the Iron Age, at a time when the influence of the Celts was reaching Ireland from the continent of Europe. The design is now used as the emblem for Ballymoney Museum.
Derrykeighan Stone, Iron Age c.50AD
Contributed by Ballymoney Museum
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