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Kilcoolaght East Ogham Stones
Native name
Irish: Clocha Oghaim Chill Chuallachta Thoir
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Type ogham stones
Location Kilcoolaght East, Killorglin,
County Kerry, Ireland
Elevation 22 m (72 ft)
Owner state
Official name: Kilcoolaght East Ogham Stones
Reference no. 329

The Kilcoolaght East Ogham Stones are a special group of ancient stones found in County Kerry, Ireland. These stones are very old and are protected as a National Monument. They are famous for their unique writing system called ogham.

Where to Find the Stones

These ancient stones are located in Kilcoolaght East. This spot is about 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) southeast of a town called Killorglin. You can find them west of the Glasheenasheefree River.

A Glimpse into History

The Ogham stones at Kilcoolaght East were carved a very long time ago. People made them between the 5th and 6th centuries AD. These stones were used as markers for graves in an old burial ground. This type of burial site was known as a ceallurach.

All the stones were discovered in a hidden underground passage nearby. This kind of passage is called a souterrain.

What the Stones Look Like

The Kilcoolaght East Ogham Stones are made from sandstone. They stand tall like pillars. Each stone has special carvings on its edges. These carvings are in the ancient Ogham alphabet.

Ogham writing uses lines and notches carved into the stone's edge. Each set of lines represents a letter. These stones often tell us the name of a person or a family. They can also mark who owned the land.

The stones found here include several important examples of Ogham writing. They give us clues about the people who lived in Ireland long ago.

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