For most of history, experiencing an Ogham stone meant travelling to it. Many of the most significant inscriptions are in remote fields in Kerry, Wales, or Scotland — accessible only to those with the time, means, and physical ability to make the journey.
That is changing.
The Mayo 3D Project
A heritage digitisation initiative has been producing high-resolution 3D models of ancient Irish monuments, including several significant Ogham stones in Co. Mayo. The resulting models are hosted on Sketchfab as the Og_h_am 3D collection — publicly accessible, free to view, and interactive.
Using photogrammetry (the process of building a 3D model from hundreds of overlapping photographs), the project captures every surface detail of a stone: weathering, lichen, the depth of individual strokes. The result is a model you can zoom into, rotate in any direction, and examine from angles impossible with the physical object.
Why Digitisation Matters
Ogham stones are fragile. Some have been damaged by weather, pollution, or well-meaning but careless handling over centuries. Others have been moved from their original locations, sometimes to museums, sometimes to church grounds. A few have been lost entirely.
Digital preservation creates a record that cannot be eroded. If a stone is damaged or destroyed, the 3D model survives. More importantly, it makes the stones accessible to researchers, educators, diaspora communities, and anyone curious about Irish heritage — regardless of where in the world they happen to be.
Exploring the Models
The interactive models allow you to:
- Zoom in to individual Ogham strokes to trace the inscription
- Rotate the stone to see how inscription placement relates to the stone’s natural edge
- Compare multiple stones side by side in different browser tabs
- Share specific views with students, researchers, or family members
For anyone who has tried to read an Ogham inscription in a museum case — frustratingly lit from the wrong angle, behind glass — the 3D experience is a revelation.
What’s Next
The Mayo project is part of a broader movement to digitise Ireland’s Ogham heritage. Our own stones database catalogues over 400 inscriptions with location data, inscriptions, and links to external resources including 3D models where available.
The ancient stones are going digital — and they’ve never been more accessible.
Browse the Ogham stone database or translate your name into Ogham.