Turoe Stone

12mi/20km north of the town of Loughrea on the R350, near Bullaun, stands the Turoe Stone (third century; National Monument), an oval granite block 3ft/90cm high with curvilinear relief ornament in a style characteristic of the La Tène period on the rounded upper half, which is separated from the undecorated lower part by a band of meander pattern. The stone formerly stood close to a nearby ring-fort, and no doubt served some ritual purpose.