Ogham stone in Ballynabortagh

This ogham stone was discovered in a Man-made underground passage (CO052-061001-) in 2005 where it was one of four pillars supporting the roof (McCarthy 2005). This is the NE pillar stone. The SW pillar also bears an ogham inscription (see CO052-061003-). This is a sandstone pillar, subrectangular in section (1.4m x 0.5m X 0.26m) narrowing towards the top. It is inscribed on the right angle and the inscription reads up the stone: MAQI-TRENI AVI (T)……. The ogham scores are chiselled and average 1cm in width by 4-6cm in length. The lettering, particularly the vowel notches, are quite worn, possibly indicating that the stone had been exposed to the elements for a long time, possibly centuries before it was appropriated for use in the Man-made underground passage. (Ronan et al. 2009, no. 16162) Compiled by: Nora White Date of upload: 27 February 2016