Ireland I-KER-018 CIIC 151

Baile an Reannaigh | Ballinrannig 4 (I-KER-018)

Inscription

BROINIONAS

Ogham reads along the stemline — usually bottom to top on standing stones. How to read Ogham →

Stone ID
I-KER-018
CIIC Ref.
151
Country
Ireland
This record is drawn from the OG(H)AM corpus — the authoritative scholarly database of Ogham inscriptions, compiled by a team of epigraphers, archaeologists, and linguists. Transcription conventions and dating follow established epigraphic standards.

Provenance

Discovery: First recognised in 1782 by Pelham and recorded by Vallancey (1804, 226; Macalister 1945, 144). Exposed by a storm at a probable early ecclesiastical site known as Cillvickillane (Cill Mhic Uíleáin), along with six other ogham stones, a possible fragment of an 8th ogham stone, a cross-inscribed stone, a number of graves and quantities of bone, and the ruins of several houses. Windele’s sketch of the site shows the ogham stones set out in a rough semi-circle on top of the mound with a slab-lined grave positioned nearby. Chatterton describes the houses as being beyond the mound nearer the sea. Windele interpreted these as the remains of an ancient village, but it has also been suggested that one of the structures, roughly 20 feet x 12 feet (6 x 3.7m), was a church (Cuppage 1986, 250). Only one of the ogham stones (I-KER-021) remains on site.

Findspot: Ballinrannig (Baile an Reannaigh), Co. Kerry, Ireland (ITM coordinates (approximate - location of remaining stone): 436682, 605700)

Last recorded location(s): Macalister (1945, 144) noted that in the mid 19th century this stone and three others (I-KER-015, I-KER-016 and I-KER-017) were moved by Lord Ventry to the grounds of Burnham House (now Coláiste Íde), between Dingle and Ventry, where they remain today. Examined and recorded using photogrammetry for the Ogham in 3D project in 2016.

Support

National Monuments Service SMR ID: KE042-057009-

Object type: Pulvinar pillar

Material: Slate

Dimensions: H 0.82 × W 0.26 × D 0.25 m

Condition: Although the top of the stone is broken on one side, the inscription appears to be complete.

Letters: Pocked in unevenly-spaced strokes

Edition

Transcription: BROINIONAS

Translation

of Bróen

Commentary

This name is recorded in three other ogham inscriptions (CIIC 120 Monataggart, Co. Cork; CIIC 280 Drumlohan, Co. Waterford and CIIC 295 Knockboy, Co Waterford). However, the reading is only relatively certain in this case and in CIIC 120 Monataggart, Co. Cork, which has BROINIENAS.

References

  • Bennett, Uí Shíthigh, Holden, and Ó Bric 1995, 7-8
  • Cuppage 1986, 250-251
  • Macalister 1945, 144, 147
  • McManus 1991, 65, 116
  • Vallancey 1804, 226
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Plan Your Visit

Visiting the Baile an Reannaigh | Ballinrannig 4 (I-KER-018) Ogham Stone

The Baile an Reannaigh | Ballinrannig 4 (I-KER-018) stone is one of Ireland's finest early medieval monuments — and well worth the journey. Whether you're a dedicated epigrapher, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who loves exploring ancient places, seeing a 1,500-year-old inscription in person is an experience unlike any other.

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Getting There

Use the map and coordinates on this page to navigate directly to the stone's recorded location. Many Ogham stones are in rural churchyards or open countryside — sturdy footwear is recommended.

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What to Bring

Bring a camera with a good zoom for inscription detail. Raking light (early morning or late afternoon) makes Ogham strokes far easier to see and photograph. A notebook for rubbings or sketches adds to the experience.

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Where to Stay

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