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 I-KER-020 were moved by Lord Ventry to Chute Hall, near Tralee, where they still remain. This stone was recorded using photogrammetry in 2017 by Helena Zacharias, a participant on the Corca Dhuibhne 3d project.
Support
National Monuments Service SMR ID: KE042-057010-
Object type: Pillar
Material: Sandstone
Dimensions: H 0.97 × W 0.39 × D 0.17 m
Condition: The top of the stone is damaged and some scores appear to be lost.
Letters: Pocked in evenly-spaced strokes but worn The inital letter appears to be a G. However, Macalister (1945, 147-148) argues that ‘the halves are not in line, and moreover display a difference in craftsmanship… Apparently the lapidary made two scores on the wrong side, and was obliged to correct his error afterwards by putting two other scores on the right side’. He is perhaps correct in that the scores, although appearing at either side of the arris, cannot be said for certain to continue across the arris. However, the arris on this lower section is rather worn (note loss of vowel notches). Also, the scores to the left of the angle appear fainter than those to the right, although this could also be due to uneven weathering. Although not noted by Macalister, there appear to be the remains of 4 vowel notches on the shoulder of the stone between the N and final S with space for at least two more.
Edition
Transcription: G̣/̣Ḷ[U]BB[IA]S MAQQ[I D(?)]N/ỊẠ?̣S
References
- Bennett, Uí Shíthigh, Holden, and Ó Bric 1995, 7-8
- Cuppage 1986, 250-252
- Macalister 1945, 144, 147-148
- McManus 1991, 67, 116
- Vallancey 1804, 226