Plácas | Greenhill 2 (I-COR-004)
Ireland I-COR-004 CIIC 58

Plácas | Greenhill 2 (I-COR-004)

Inscription

CATTUBUTTAS M[AQI]

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

Stone ID
I-COR-004
CIIC Ref.
58
Country
Ireland

The Stone in Detail

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: Discovered in 1906 when the landowner ‘was lowering a headland’ (Buckley 1907,116), c. 40m N of, and in next field to, existing ogham stone (I-COR-003). The immediate area around both stones was excavated in 1985 ‘to facilitate the installation of cattle grids’ with no significant finds. However ‘the curving east and south boundaries of the field here are possibly of an ancient elongated oval enclosure’(Manning 2000, 107, 112).

Findspot: Greenhill (Plácas), Co. Cork, Ireland (ITM Coordinates: 558398, 591970)

Last recorded location(s): In situ (againt the field fence) at Greenhill where it was visited and 3D recorded for the Ogham in 3D project in August 2013.

Support

National Monuments Service SMR ID: CO042-049001-

Object type: Pillar

Material: Stone type unknown

Dimensions: H 1.54 × W 0.46 × D 0.36 m

Condition: The inscription is clear but possibly incomplete, as the top of the stone appears damaged.

Inscription

Text field: The inscription is running up the top half of one angle.

Letters: The ogham strokes appear to have been v-cut.

Date: First half, or the early second half, of the fifth century (linguistic)

Edition

Ogham text: ᚉᚐᚈᚈᚒᚁᚒᚈᚈᚐᚄ ᚋ̣[ᚐᚊᚔ(?)]

Transcription: CATTUBUTTAS Ṃ[AQI(?)]

Critical apparatus:

  1. Macalister (1945, 62) thought he could see traces at the top of MAQI (cut off mid Q) but this is very uncertain.

Translation

of Cathub [son of]

Commentary

This personal name contains one of the most commonly occurring elements found in ogham inscriptions: CATU- (OI cath ‘battle’). The early Old Irish form of the name is Cathub, gen. Cathboth, later Cathbad (McManus 1991, 102).

This is one of the inscriptions listed by McManus (1991, 93-94, 97) to be among the earliest in the corpus showing no trace of vowel affection.

References

  • Buckley 1907, 116-118
  • Macalister 1945, 62
  • Manning 2000, 107–112
  • McManus 1991, 89-117
  • Power, Byrne, Egan, Lane, and Sleeman 1997, no. 7964
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Plan Your Visit

Visiting the Plácas | Greenhill 2 (I-COR-004) Ogham Stone

The Plácas | Greenhill 2 (I-COR-004) 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

There's plenty of accommodation near Ireland. 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.

Hotels & accommodation near Plácas | Greenhill 2 (I-COR-004)

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