Provenance
Discovery: Discovered by Lindsay (1836) reused as one of 5 stones roofing stones (the most easterly) in chanber 2 of a souterrain. ‘Set just W of a reservoir within a localised rise, the entrance to this souterrain runs down vertically via a manhole cover with a cemented base. This is not the original entrance, as it was below the top water level for the reservoir. It was excavated in 1934 and was T-shaped in plan (only the long straight part is now accessible), with 3 chambers which runs in a straight line E-W for 67ft. They are on slightly different levels and are connected by narrow creeps. Beyond is a long transverse chamber, now filled in; sherds of souterrain ware were found in it’ (NISMR: LDY007:004).
Findspot: Dunalis Upper (Dún Oilí Uachtarach), Co. Derry | Londonderry, Northern Ireland (National Grid Ref: C8044030640)
Last recorded location(s): In situ in the souterrain, where (thanks to permission and assistance from the Historic Environment Division, Department for Communities of Northern Ireland) it was examined and recorded by members of the OG(H)AM project in July 2022.
Support
Northern Ireland Sites and Monuments Record Number: LDY007:004
Object type: Pillar
Material: Basalt
Dimensions: H 1.18 × W 0.30 × D 0.30 m
Condition: Noted by Lindsay (1936, 69; see NISMR) to be a ‘weathered column of basalt 3 feet 10 1/2 inches (1.18m) long and approximately 1 foot (0.30m) square in section’ reused as a lintel in a souterrain.
Inscription
Text field: ‘The inscription starts 14 1/2 incles (37cm) from one end of the stone and ends 12 1/2 inches (32cm) from the other end. It is 19 1/2 inches (50cm) long and fairly clear when seen on the plaster cast. It is, however, very difficult to read in situ’ (Lindsay 1936, 69; see NISMR).
Letters: The ogham strokes in this inscription are lightly scored, described by Macalister (1945, 304) as ‘faintly scratched’. The vowel strokes are quite small.
Edition
Ogham text: ᚁᚏᚑᚉᚐᚌᚅᚔ ᚋᚐᚊᚔ ᚋᚒ<ᚉᚑᚔ>
Transcription: BROCAGNI MAQI MU
Critical apparatus:
- As noted by Lindsay (1936, 70) and Macalister (1945, 304), the MU at the end is ‘presumably the beginning of MUCOI, but the inscription has been intentionally left incomplete at this point: there is no trace of any continuation’.
Translation
of Brocán son of [?]
Commentary
The name Brocán (‘little badger’) consists of the word broc(c) and the common individualising suffix. It is found elsewhere in the ogham corpus (e.g. I-KER-055 Kilmalkedar, Co. Kerry) as well as in later manuscript sources.
References
- Lindsay 1936, 61-70
- Macalister 1945, 304