Cloghanecarhan facts for kids

Cloghanecarhan is an amazing ancient site in County Kerry, Ireland. It features a special type of old fort called a ringfort and a unique stone with ancient carvings, known as an ogham stone. Together, they form a protected National Monument of Ireland.

Where is Cloghanecarhan?

Cloghanecarhan is found on the western side of the Iveragh Peninsula. It is about 7.2 kilometers (4.5 miles) south-southeast of the town of Cahersiveen.

A Look Back in Time

The ogham stone at Cloghanecarhan was put in place a very long time ago, around the year 600 AD. This was during the Middle Ages. The way the words are carved tells us it's a later example of ogham writing.

Right next to the ogham stone, you can see a stone cashel. A cashel is a circular stone fort. This one was used later for Christian burials.

What Can You See at Cloghanecarhan?

A rowan tree. People traditionally believed it could protect against bad spirits.

The ogham stone is a tall, narrow piece of slate. It measures about 208 centimeters (6.8 feet) tall. It used to stand at the entrance of the ringfort. Now, it rests a bit to the north.

The stone has an ancient message carved into its edge. It says something like "of Ec...án? son of Mac-Cáirthinn." This name, Mac-Cáirthinn, means "devotee of the rowan tree." The name of the area, Cloghanecarhan, might mean "ford of stepping-stones" or "stone beehive hut." There's a small stream nearby, and you can find stone huts inside the cashel.

The ringfort itself was known locally as 'Keeldarragh'. It's a circular area surrounded by a raised bank. The main entrance is on the east side. Inside the fort, you can find the remains of a circular hut. There are also three leachta, which are stone altars or burial places. You might also see a souterrain, which is an underground passage, and a cross slab, a stone with a cross carved into it.