Ardcanaght Stones facts for kids

The Ardcanaght Stones are two special ancient stones found in County Kerry, Ireland. They have a unique old Irish writing system called ogham carved into them. These stones are so important that they are protected as a National Monument of Ireland.

What are Ogham Stones?

Ogham stones are like ancient messages carved in stone. Ogham is the earliest known alphabet used in Ireland. It looks like a series of lines and notches carved along the edge of a stone. People used Ogham to write names, mark land, or remember important events. These carvings were made a very long time ago, between the 4th and 10th centuries AD.

Where are the Ardcanaght Stones?

You can find the Ardcanaght Stones about 1.7 kilometers (just over a mile) west of Castlemaine. They are located north of the River Maine. It's a quiet spot where these historical treasures now rest.

A Glimpse into the Past: History of the Stones

The exact age of the Ardcanaght Stones is a bit of a mystery. The carvings are quite old and a little hard to read completely. We know that Ogham writing was used in Ireland for several centuries. These particular stones were rediscovered in the 1940s. After being found, they were moved to their current location. This helps protect them so everyone can learn about them.

What Do the Stones Look Like?

There are two Ogham stones at Ardcanaght. They sit next to a much larger standing stone. This tall stone is about 1.6 meters (5 feet 3 inches) high.

The two Ogham stones are:

• Stone 246a: This stone is about 90 centimeters (3 feet) tall. It has the inscription LMCBLTCL LT carved on it.
• Stone 246b: This is a smaller piece of a stone. It has the inscription V MAQỊ. The word "MAQI" is often seen on Ogham stones. It means "son [of]", telling us about someone's family line.

Images for kids

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  Larger Ardcanaght Ogham Stone

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  Smaller (broken) Ardcanaght Ogham Stone