Ireland I-KER-139

Ráth Teas | Ratass (I-KER-139)

Inscription

[A]NM SILLANN MAQ VATTILLOGG

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

Stone ID
I-KER-139
Country
Ireland
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: 1975 (vi in McManus, p. 71)

Findspot: Ratass (Ráth Teas , Co. Kerry, Ireland (ITM coordinates: 485205, 614149)

Last recorded location(s): in situ (inside church ruin)

Support

National Monuments Service SMR ID: KE029-157002-

Object type: Cross-carved pillar

Material: Sandstone

Dimensions:

Decoration: ‘On the opposite broad face to the ogham and placed at the wider end of the pillar stone [upside down in relation to the ogham inscription] is a simple Latin cross composed of double grooves. It has closed terminals except at the stem which is open-ended’ (Fanning and Ó Corráin 1977, 15)

Condition: Fanning (1977, 14) describes the stone as ‘fine purple sandstone’ and notes that, unusually, the edge of the stone appears to have been deliberately dressed or shaped and that ‘the dressing on the top of the ogham inscription is similar to the pocking behind the cross’.

Inscription

Text field: The inscription is typically up-top-down (starting on the dexter or left angle). However, in it’s current position the ogham inscription is up-side-down so that the cross is at the top.

Letters: V-cut? in neat, evenly-spaced strokes. Also, used as ‘a sharpening stone for knives and other blades’ with areas of ‘smoothing and polishing together with quite deep scoring’ (Fanning 1977, 14-15)

Edition

Transcription: [A]NM SILLANN MAQ VATTILLOGG

References

  • Macalister 1945, …
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Plan Your Visit

Visiting the Ráth Teas | Ratass (I-KER-139) Ogham Stone

The Ráth Teas | Ratass (I-KER-139) 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 Ráth Teas | Ratass (I-KER-139)

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