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Greenanstown Stones

The Greenanstown Stones are located in County Meath, 3km (2 miles) from the megalithic passage tomb at Fourknocks. Locally called the Jack Stones, it is said that they were thrown from the Hill of Tara by Finn MacCool (Fionn MacCumhaill), the legendary Irish hero.

Three large Jack Stones on the Greenanstown green with a bilingual road signpost and white cottage behind. Greenanstown Stones viewed from north to south.

Jack Stones Folklore

Folklore about the Jack Stones at Greenanstown in County Meath, as collected by the National Folklore Collection (Schools' Collection) in the 1930s.

There are three very large stones in the village of Greenanstown called Jack Stones. They are supposed to have been thrown from Tara by Finn MacCool. One morning when the people of the village arose they were surprised to see an immense stone in the centre of the cross-roads and on looking around they saw two others in a field nearby.

On the village green in Greenanstown there are three large stones called the Jack Stones. Each stone weighs about six tons (about 5.4 tonnes). The three on the green are in a straight line. It is generally supposed that they were sacrificial stones, Druid's Altars, or marking a place of assembly.

Greenanstown Jack Stones and fingerpost pointing to Drogheda, Stamullen and Navan, with a white house and tree beyond. Greenanstown Stones viewed from east to west.
Three lichen-covered Jack Stones at dusk beside a ribboned signpost and dry-stone wall at Greenanstown. Greenanstown Stones viewed from southeast to northwest.
Jack Stones and decorated road sign at the Greenanstown crossroads looking over fields toward Slane and Drogheda. Greenanstown Stones viewed from west to east.
Low view of the three Greenanstown stones with signpost for Drogheda and Stamullen and a hedgerow behind. Greenanstown Stones viewed from northwest to southeast.
Greenanstown fingerpost with County Meath ribbons silhouetted against a bright setting sun beside a cottage. Greenanstown in the setting sun.

Nearby: Fourknocks and the mound at Balgeeth, Ardcath.

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