Sacred stones of Ireland

Sacred stones and stone monuments feature the world over and Ireland is no exception.

Our landscape is dotted with them, from the Blarney Stone in Cork and Meadhbh's Grave in Sligo to St Patrick's Chair in Tyrone and the Royal Pillars of Tara in Meath.

Since prehistoric times people have acknowledged their special nature, an unbroken link from ancient sun-oriented monuments to the present.

Christine Zucchelli explores their secrets, myths, legends and folktales, many persisting to this day.

Some are considered the abodes of deities or otherworld ladies, some are memorials to mythical heroes and historical kings, others reminders of the miracles of early saints.

This is a wonderful reminder of our spiritual past as some of these stones and monuments enter their fifth millennium.