Ogham Stone

Ogham stone from Ballaqueeney, Rushen

First Christians - Early Christian Period - 500 AD to 798 AD

Dimensions: Height 41cm, width 14cm, breadth 13cm.

Manx Museum Accession Number - 0024.50

Found in 1871 at the Keeill site at Ballaqueeney, this stone displays an Ogham inscription. The Ogham alphabet originated in Ireland and the main advantage was the ease of carving of the symbols (straight lines are much simpler to carve into stone than curved or more elaborate characters) on to stones which only needed a short inscription, such as grave markers or memorial stones. Often, as in this example, the edges of the stone are used as the central line from which the characters protrude. The inscription reads;

BIVAIDONAS MAQI MUCOI CUNAVA

which translates as;

(…the stone of) BEO-AED, SON OF THE TRIBE OF CUNAVA (….)

The stone is on display in the Manx Museum.

A selection of Early Christian objects -

For more information see -

DisabledGo Information

Terms & Conditions

Collections

Ogham Stone