Ogham stone

The National Monuments Service's description

This is one of four ogham stones (KE021-087002-; KE021-087004-; KE021-087005-; KE021-087007-) from the souterrain (KE021-087001-) in the SW sector of the ringfort named Lismore (An Lios Mór; KE021-087----). This multivallate rath is situated on rising land and has an extensive view of the surrounding countryside. It consists of a circular area enclosed by three banks and fosses. An opening was made into one of the chambers in the late 1970s, so the drystone walling construction of the chambers and tunnels is quite visible (Toal 1995, no. 774).

This stone was discovered in 2014. It acts as a lintel on the chamber side of the passage to right (N chamber) on entering the souterrain. It is at least 0.74m x 0.22m x 0.13m (dimensions taken from the 3d data). The full extent is unknown as the stone is embedded in the structure. What is visible of the inscription is picked in broad scores but there may be further letters which are inaccessible. All that can be made out is an S (or possibly a C) at one end of the stone (final -S or initial C-?), a possible vowel notch (A) and 3 or 4 possible faint scores representing V (/T) or S (/C).

This stone has been studied as part of the ‘Ogham in 3D’ project undertaken by the School of Celtic Studies, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. To access details go to the following website: http://ogham.celt.dias.ie/search.php?ciic=Rathkenny_IV

Compiled by: Nora White

Date of upload: 10 October 2017

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 186/1949).

References

White, N. 2016: 'Ogham stones from a souterrain in Rathkenny, Co. Kerry', Celtica 28, pp 208-16.