A short journey from Killarney, the road to the renowned Gap of Dunloe will provide you with an easy route to discover these ancient, scripted Ogham Stones.
Ogham writing dates from the 3rd century AD, and letters from the Roman alphabet were represented by a series of horizontal and sloped lines, usually along the edge of standing stones.
Seven of these standing stones were carved in the 5th and 6th century, providing an ancient link to that past. These stones were discovered during the construction of a hotel, and they are believed to have come from an underground passage that collapsed during the last century. They were moved to their current location in 1945.
The eighth stone, in the centre of the line up, was relocated from the nearby ruins of Kilbonane Church, where it was used as a burial marker, with the writing telling us about the person who had been laid to rest.
This site affords you a wonderful opportunity to see some fully intact ogham stones.
- Keeping important heritage artefacts accessible and viewable for all.
- Allowing us a glimpse of the ancient olden ways of script writing to help keep interest in old traditions alive.
If you have the time, explore the nearby O'Sullivan's Cascade and trails in Tomies Woods, enjoying some great views of the lakes and mountains of Killarney along the way.
