Ogham is the first known written language of Ireland and the earliest recorded form of Irish. Here are four of the best sites across Ireland to see living examples of this ancient language.
The earliest form of writing in Ireland, Ogham dates back to the 4th century A.D. and it remained in use for over 500 years.
In addition to being descriptive, the language is also a beautiful one to read as it uses a series of strokes and lines resulting in beautiful patterns. It has lived on through beautiful Celtic jewelry. Ogham was often known as the ‘Celtic tree alphabet’ as a number of the old letters link to the old Irish names for certain trees.
Ogham stones are one of Ireland’s most remarkable natural treasures. A gift of customized Irish jewelry with a name or meaningful message etched in Ogham script is a special reminder for those with Celtic roots.
Here are three of the best sites in Ireland to see Ogham.
University College Cork
One of the most important collections of orthodox Ogham inscriptions in Ireland can be seen in University College Cork (UCC) and they are in public display in what is known as ‘The Stone Corridor’. This collection is the largest of such inscriptions in open display in Ireland. The accompanying ‘Stories in Stone’ exhibition can be viewed free of charge. The collection started in 1861 and the last Ogham stone was added by 1945. With a single exception, all are from County Cork and one is from County Waterford.
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| The Stone Corridor at University College Cork |
Dunloe, Killarney, County Kerry
Arranged in a semi-circle at the side of the road, these stones are very well preserved and are a very well-known group of inscriptions. They stand upright in a small, ringed enclosure near Dunloe Castle along the Ring of Kerry, which is some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland. Seven of the stones were rescued from an underground passage at Coolmagort in nearby Beaufort village and the central stone was taken from the ruined church at Kilbonane which is also nearby.
The Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry
There is no other landscape in western Europe with the density and variety of archaeological monuments as the Dingle Peninsula and there is a remarkable preservation of over 2,000 monuments. There are over 70 Ogham stones which may have been used as landmarks or to signify land ownership. The name of Duibhne is found on many (as in Corca Dhuibhne, the seed or tribe of Duibhne, the name of the area which is a Gaeltacht or Irish speaking area). One of the finest Ogham stones is at Dun Chaoin overlooking the Blasket Islands on the summit of Dun Mor otherwise known as the big fortress.
While these are three examples, there are a total over over 400 known Ogham inscriptions on stone monuments scattered around the Irish sea dating back to the 4th, 5th and 6th centuries. What are your favorite sites?