Castletimon Ogham Stone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castletimon Ogham Stone |
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| Native name Irish: Cloch Oghaim Chaisleán tSíomóin |
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| The Long Stone The Giant's Stone |
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| Type | Ogham stone |
| Location | Castletimon, Brittas Bay, County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Area | Liffey Valley |
| Elevation | 52 m (171 ft) |
| Height | 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) |
| Built | AD 350–550 |
| Official name: Castletimon Ogham Stone | |
| Reference no. | 304 |
The Castletimon Ogham Stone (CIIC 047) is a very old stone with special carvings called Ogham script. It is also a National Monument, which means it's a very important historical site protected by the country. You can find it near Brittas Bay in County Wicklow, Ireland.
Contents
What is the Castletimon Ogham Stone?
This ancient stone is a tall, narrow pillar made of rock. It has unique carvings along its edges. These carvings are part of the Ogham alphabet, an early way of writing used in Ireland.
Where is This Ancient Stone Located?
The Castletimon Ogham Stone lies flat on the ground next to a road. It is about 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles) west of Ballynacarrig beach. This beach leads to the beautiful Brittas Bay. A small river called Potter's River flows about 260 meters (280 yards) south of the stone.
The Stone's Story: History and Legends
This special stone has been around for a very long time. It also has some fun local stories connected to it!
How Old is the Castletimon Ogham Stone?
Experts believe the Castletimon Ogham Stone was carved a long, long time ago. It was made between the years 350 and 550 AD. That's over 1,500 years ago! The stone was found again in 1854 after being hidden or forgotten for many years.
Fun Legends About the Stone
Local people have told interesting stories about the Ogham stone for generations:
- One legend says a giant from Castletimon once picked up the stone. He then threw it down a hill! The scratches you see on the stone are supposedly from his fingernails.
- Another story tells of a local man who took the Ogham stone. He wanted to use it as a "hob stone," which is a stone used in a game. But the Aos Sí (which are like fairies in Irish folklore) got very angry! They made his cutlery (forks, spoons, knives) dance and jiggle all by themselves. After a week of this strange magic, the man quickly returned the stone to its original spot.
What Does the Stone Look Like?
The Castletimon Ogham Stone is about 150 centimeters (5 feet) long. It is 48 centimeters (19 inches) wide and 20 centimeters (8 inches) thick. It has Ogham carvings cut into one of its edges.
Reading the Ogham Script
The Ogham script on the stone reads Template:Script/Ogham. This is usually read as "NETACARI NETA CAGI." This might mean "Netacari, nephew of Cagi." It's like a very old name or message carved into the stone.
