Baile Bhalraic | Ballybarrack (I-LOU-002) — Ogham Stone

Provenance

Discovery: The find site of this stone was a settlement within an oval enclosure (LH007-072001-), which measured 90m in max. diameter. A complex of three souterrains (LH007-072002-, LH007-072004- and LH007-072005-) were found within the enclosure, excavated by E. P. Kelly in 1977. The third and largest souterrain (LH007-072005-) consists of a passage in three sections (overall L 34m), partially drystone-built and partly rock-cut. At the junction of Passages 1 and 2 this ogham stone was used as a lintel (Buckley 1986, 103-4).

Findspot: Ballybarrack (Baile Bhalraic), Co. Louth, Ireland (ITM Coordinates: 703329, 805251)

Current repository: Ireland National Museum of Ireland (inv. no. L.1978:2)

Last recorded location(s): On display in Louth County Museum in Dundalk (on loan from the National Museum of Ireland), where it was examined and recorded in 3D using structured light scanning in 2017.

Support

National Monuments Service Record Number: LH007-072006-

Object type: Pillar

Material: Unknown

Dimensions: H 1.06 × W 0.50 × D 0.25 m

Condition: There is some damage, particularly at the top and on the angles of the stone, which has resulted in the loss of some ogham strokes and letters.

Inscription

Text field: There is ogham on two angles (up-up).

Letters: The ogham strokes in this inscription are lightly scored. The consonant strokes are quite long and tapering with irregular spacing and some examples of double lines. The M-aicme strokes are rather straight. The vowel notches are very fine, where they survive at all.

Edition

Ogham text: ᚋᚐᚊᚔᚉᚑᚏᚐ̣ᚁᚔᚏ ᚋᚐ̣ᚊᚔ̣ ᚈᚐᚅ[.

Transcription: MAQICORẠBIR MẠQỊ TAN[.]Ḅ[---] NẸTẠSẠLẠGIẠ MAQỊ MỤCỌỊ[---]

Critical apparatus:

It is not absolutley clear if this is one continuous inscription or two seperate commemorations.

Translation

of Mac-Coirpri son of Tan…? of Nad-S…? son of the descendant of …

Commentary

‘The first name is probably Mac-Coirpri but the remainder is doubtful. As the gen. NETAS is not attested the S following NeTa probably belongs to the following word’ (McManus 1991, 76).

References

Buckley 1986, 103-104
McManus 1991, 76

Visiting the Baile Bhalraic | Ballybarrack (I-LOU-002) Ogham Stone

The Baile Bhalraic | Ballybarrack (I-LOU-002) 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.

Baile Bhalraic | Ballybarrack (I-LOU-002)