Isle of Man M-IOM-001 CIIC 503

Ballaqueeney 1 (M-IOM-001)

Inscription

DOVAIDONA MA QI DROATA

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

Stone ID
M-IOM-001
CIIC Ref.
503
Country
Isle of Man
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: The slab was found re-used in a lintel grave close to a chapel in 1874 during the construction of the nearby railway line.

Findspot: Rushen, Rushen, Isle of Man (National Grid Reference: SC 2000 6800)

Current repository: Isle of Man Manx Museum (inv. no. Category: MM 1)

Last recorded location(s): Now in the Manx Museum (Category: MM 1). Recorded by OG(H)AM team in June 2024.

Support

Isle of Man Historic Environment Record (IOMHER): 0024.50

Object type: Slab

Material: Stone type unknown

Dimensions: H 0.96 × W 0.35 × D 0.14 m

Condition: The slab is water-worn.

Inscription

Text field: The ogham inscription runs up the angle of one edge of the stone and round the top.

Letters: The inscription was scored and described by Macalister (1945, 480) as ‘cut as with a knife’.

Edition

Ogham text: ᚇᚑᚃᚐᚔᚇᚑᚅᚐ ᚋᚐ ᚊᚔ ᚇᚏᚑᚐᚈᚐ

Transcription: DOVAIDONA MA QI DROATA

Critical apparatus:

  1. Another possible reading: DOVAIDONA MA QI DRUTA

Translation

of Dubaed, son of Droata?

References

  • Macalister 1945, 480-481
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Plan Your Visit

Visiting the Ballaqueeney 1 (M-IOM-001) Ogham Stone

The Ballaqueeney 1 (M-IOM-001) stone is one of Isle of Man'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

There's plenty of accommodation near Isle of Man. Browse hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses close to the stone using the map below — filter by price, rating, and availability to find the perfect base for your trip.

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