Breastagh Ogham Stone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Breastagh Ogham Stone |
|
|---|---|
| Native name Irish: Cloch Oghaim Bhréisteach |
|
| Breastagh Ogham Pillar | |
.jpg) |
|
| Type | Ogham stone |
| Location | Breastagh, Killala, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Elevation | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Height | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Built | AD 550–900 |
| Official name: Breastagh | |
| Reference no. | 415 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Breastagh Ogham Stone is a very old stone pillar found in County Mayo, Ireland. It is special because it has ancient Irish writing called Ogham carved into its sides. This stone is also a National Monument, which means it's a very important historical site protected by the country.
Contents
Where is the Breastagh Ogham Stone?
The Breastagh Ogham Stone stands in a field about 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles) north-northwest of Killala town. It's in a quiet, open area in the countryside.
The Stone's Long History
People believe this large stone was first put up a very long time ago, during the Bronze Age. That was a period when people used bronze tools and weapons. The special Ogham writing was added much later, sometime between the years 550 AD and 900 AD.
How the Stone Was Found
For many years, the Breastagh Ogham Stone lay hidden in a field. In April 1874, an English tourist named W.K. Dover discovered it. He told Sir Samuel Ferguson, a famous Irish scholar, about his find. Sir Samuel Ferguson then made sure the stone was carefully stood upright again, so everyone could see and study it.
What Does the Stone Look Like?
The Breastagh Ogham Stone is a tall, strong pillar. It measures about 3.66 meters (12 feet) high, 76 centimeters (30 inches) wide, and 60 centimeters (24 inches) thick.
The Mysterious Ogham Writing
The most exciting part of the stone is the Ogham writing carved into two of its edges. Ogham is an early form of the Irish language, written using lines and notches. It looks like a secret code!
The carvings on the Breastagh Ogham Stone read: Template:Script/Ogham This translates to: "Legescad, son of Corrbrias, son of Ammllogitt."
Historians believe these names refer to important people from ancient Irish history. One of the names might even be connected to a grandson of Amalgaid mac Fiachrae, who was a king of the Connacht region around 440 AD. This king's name is also linked to the area called Tirawley today.
