Dunloe Ogham Stones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dunloe Ogham Stones |
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| Native name Irish: Clocha Oghaim Dhún Lóich |
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| The Beaufort Stones | |
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| Type | ogham stones |
| Location | Coolmagort, Beaufort, County Kerry, Ireland |
| Elevation | 51 m (167 ft) |
| Owner | state |
| Official name: Dunloe Ogham Stones | |
| Reference no. | 385 |
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The Dunloe Ogham Stones are a special collection of ancient stones in County Kerry, Ireland. They are known for their unique carvings called ogham, which is an old Irish alphabet. These stones are so important that they are protected as a National Monument of Ireland.
Where to Find Them
The Dunloe Ogham Stones are located about 1 kilometer (a little over half a mile) south of Beaufort. They are found near the River Laune in County Kerry.
A Look Back in Time
These amazing stones were carved a very long time ago, between the 400s and 500s AD. People used them as markers for graves. Imagine, these stones are over 1,500 years old!
Seven of the stones were found in 1838. They were discovered forming the ceiling of an underground passage, which is like a hidden tunnel, near Dunloe Castle. By 1945, these stones were carefully moved to their current spot so everyone could see them. Another stone in the collection came from an old church in a place called Kilbonane.
What the Stones Tell Us
Ogham is an ancient Irish alphabet made up of lines and notches carved into the edges of stones. These stones often have names carved on them. They tell us about people and tribes from long ago.
The Kilbonane stone (known as CIIC 241) is placed in the center of the group. The other stones are arranged around it. Here are some of the messages carved on them:
- CIIC 197: This stone says "of Daig son of the descendant of Toicacas." It likely refers to a tribe called the Tóecraige.
- CIIC 198: This one reads "of Mac-Rithe son of Mac-Duimle descendant of Toicacas." It also points to the Tóecraige tribe.
- CIIC 199: This stone simply says "of Conchenn." The name "Conchenn" means "dog-head."
- CIIC 200: This carving says "of Mac-Táil son of Fuirg descendant of Toicacas." Again, it mentions the Tóecraige tribe.
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- CIIC 201: This stone's message is very hard to read because it has faded a lot over time.
- CIIC 202: This stone says "of Nad-Froích son of ?-án." The name Nad-Froích means "heather's champion."
- CIIC 203: This stone reads "of Mac-Deichet son of..." It is also thought to refer to the Tóecraige tribe.
- CIIC 241: This stone has a longer inscription with several names, including "Baidagni" and "Addilona."
These stones are like ancient puzzles, giving us clues about the people and history of Ireland many centuries ago!
