Ogham is the ancient Irish alphabet used to write Primitive Irish, the earliest form of the Irish language. Scholars believe it emerged in the 4th or 5th century CE, long before Latin script reached Ireland, making it one of the oldest examples of Celtic writing in Europe.

Over four hundred Ogham stones have been discovered across Ireland and parts of Wales, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, each inscribed along the edge with a sequence of lines and notches representing letters of the Ogham alphabet. Most of these carvings record personal names, often marking ancestral territories or burial sites, giving us a glimpse into early Irish society and family structure.

Many of these monuments are plotted on our interactive map of Ogham locations, which shows how widespread this script became during the early medieval period. The system’s origins are still debated—some scholars see it as a uniquely Irish invention, while others suggest influence from Latin or runic scripts. Whatever its beginnings, Ogham developed into a deeply symbolic medium linking sound, language, and landscape.

The study of Ogham names continues to reveal much about Irish ancestry and clan history, connecting modern Ireland with its Celtic roots. Today, Ogham remains a striking emblem of Irish heritage and identity, bridging the oral traditions of ancient Ireland with its first written language.