Exploring the Ancient Holestone in Doagh | Bronze Age Marriage Stone

Описание: Join us as we visit the legendary Holestone in Doagh, County Antrim - a 1.5-meter tall Bronze Age standing stone perched on a rocky outcrop with commanding views over the Six Mile Water Valley.

About the Holestone:
This whinstone megalith dates back to the Bronze Age and is one of the best-preserved standing stones in Ireland Wikipedia. The stone has a prominent 10cm hole drilled through it at waist height and it's known locally as both the "Holestone" and the "Lovestone."

The Marriage Tradition:
For centuries, couples have exchanged marriage vows at this stone by clasping hands through the hole, a practice documented back to around 1830

Even today, newlyweds visit the site, leaving flower petals as they continue this ancient tradition. The custom may have originated when clergy weren't readily available in rural areas, making the Holestone ceremony legitimate according to local custom.

Visiting Tips:

Located about a mile from Doagh village on Holestone Road
Signposted from the road (though be aware parking is limited)
Short walk through a field to reach the rocky outcrop
Caution: Fast-moving traffic on the approach road
Prepare to climb over rocks to reach the stone at the top

We also attempted to locate a nearby souterrain on private land, but it's not marked on Google Maps and proved inaccessible.


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