Anglo Celt 12th August, 1911 p.4 (abridged)
Stone throwing was once usual in warfare, as, for example in the days of Giraldus Cambrensis, (c.1180); at the battle of Corcomroe in 1317 and at the breach of Limerick in 1690. Special “champion” stones are mentioned in early and mythic times – they were supposed to have some magical power of destruction.
The sling (tailm, teilm or taball) was in use in pre-Christian times. A carving of a sling is depicted on a panel from the east face of Muiredach’s high cross, (a cast of which can be found in the National Museum, Dublin). Good carvings of bows and arrows occur on the base of the cross of Monasterboice, and on the door of Cormac’s chapel at Cashel.
