Drummin fort facts for kids

Drummin Fort is an ancient circular fort located in County Roscommon, Ireland. It is also a special protected site known as a National Monument. This fort is famous for its mysterious ogham stones, which are like ancient messages carved in stone.

Where is Drummin Fort?

Drummin Fort is found about 900 meters (or half a mile) east-southeast of a village called Bellanagare. It sits in the beautiful countryside of County Roscommon.

What is a Ringfort?

A ringfort is a type of ancient circular settlement. People built them a very long time ago, usually between the 1st and 9th centuries AD. They often had a round wall or ditch around them for protection. Families lived inside these forts, keeping their homes and animals safe from danger.

Discovering the Ogham Stones

Drummin Fort is home to a pair of very old Ogham stones. These stones are found close to the southern part of the fort.

What is Ogham?

Ogham is an ancient Irish alphabet. It is made up of lines and notches carved into the edges of stones. Think of it like a secret code from long ago! These stones were often used as memorials for important people or to mark land boundaries.

The Drummin I Stone

The first Ogham stone at Drummin is called Drummin I. It is a sandstone pillar about 1.05 meters (or 3.4 feet) high. The stone has the word "CUNOVATO" carved on it. Experts believe this word might mean "dog prophet." This carving suggests the stone could be from around the 5th century AD.

The Drummin II Stone

The second Ogham stone, Drummin II, is also a sandstone pillar. It is taller than the first, standing about 1.9 meters (or 6.2 feet) high. This stone has a longer message carved into it. It reads "RAVASA KOI MAQQI D/T ... L" and also "SENN." The first part likely means "Here is Ravasa, son of..." The rest of the message is a bit harder to read completely today.