Ogham Stones of County Mayo book launched

OGHAM Stones of County Mayo, an illustrated book on Mayo’s ogham stones, has been launched in Claremorris Library.

There are 12 recorded ogham stones from Mayo, which were the focus of the Mayo Ogham Project, undertaken by Mayo County Council’s Heritage Office.

Written by Dr. Nora White, Department of Early Irish, Maynooth University, along with Gary Dempsey, Digital Heritage Age, the book contains information, 3D digital models and beautiful illustrations of Mayo’s ogham stones.

An ogham stone is typically a standing stone, with an inscription in the ogham script, usually located on the edge or angle of the stone. This script or writing system was created sometime before the 5th century AD to represent the sounds of an early form of the Irish language and used initially to carve short inscriptions on stone.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. White said: “The ogham script is the earliest written form of the Irish language. Each surviving example of an ogham stone has its own unique biography or story.

“The aim of the Mayo Ogham Project and was to provide greater access to, awareness of and engagement with Mayo’s ogham stones”.

Councillor Sean Carey, cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, who performed the launch, said: “The ogham script connects us directly to the voices of our ancestors. This book brings together scholarship, photography, etchings, digital technology and local knowledge to preserve and interpret these stones for us all, not only as an academic resource but as an invitation for the wider community to explore, to learn and to take pride in our heritage.”

The book (€5) is available in local bookshops and from www.mayobooks.ie.