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Ogham Stones
Irelands’ earliest script is thought to be that of Ogham. The finest collection of Ogham stones is on view in
Today there are Ogham stones to be found across the the cloisters of University College Cork. If in Dublin,
countryside their inscriptions worn by the passing years. an exhibition by Irish artist, Dorothy Cross also
Some of these mark the final resting places of ancient incorporates a collection of Ogham stones in her
Irish chieftains. Looking at the work of Markos Pogacnik exhibition at the Irish Museum of Modern Art . In
we can imagine these stones also served other lesser Kerry’s Dingle Peninsula, you can view a range of
known dimensions of the Irish landscape. Ogham stones in the grounds of Coláiste Íde the former
The much loved “hugging Saint”, Amma, has encouraged residence of Lord Ventry and today an Irish language,
Irish people around the world to reclaim their language girls boarding school. If you wish to see one of these
and their connection to the land. It has been stated that impressive stones in situ, the second largest standing
of all the languages in the world, the Irish language is Ogham stone is to be viewed in Blacksod on Mayo’s Erris
second only to Sanskrit for the spiritual energy that is Peninsula.
evoked within it. It is not difficult to see how this could The Ogham alphabet and corresponding letter sounds
be so. The Irish greeting, after all is “Dia dhuit” or, “God are of a pedigree akin to that of ancient Greek. Of all
be with you”. known languages, only Ancient Greek shares such a
In the margins of early manuscripts of Ireland we can see depth whereby each letter tells a story and extends a
Ogham glosses, notes written in an even more ancient mystical power. The Ogham alphabet, the original Irish
form than the Irish language itself. We can only marvel alphabet is a tree alphabet. It speaks directly to our
at the education that was available in Ireland in her connection with the natural world.
Golden Age.. Theirs was the literature and philosophy of Today there are many jewellers producing beautifully
ancient Greece and Roman civilization, the mathematics crafted Ogham inspired jewellery for you to enjoy.
of Persia, the languages of many regions and a cheerful
attitude of wonder in Creation; the natural world. The Ogham Alphabet
The Ogham alphabet and corresponding letter sounds
are of a pedigree akin to that of ancient Greek. Of all
known languages, only Ancient Greek shares such a
depth whereby each letter tells a story, an associated
mythology - and extends a mystical power. In it’s
original form, the Irish alphabet is a tree alphabet. It
speaks directly to the environment.
When we recall that the culture of Ireland until monastic
times, was an Oral culture that learning was passed on
through the development of memory, we can marvel
at the consciousness that would have existed for those
whose very words would bind them to the natural world
of which they are a part.
Early Irish scholars wrote of Ireland as having links with
India, and there has indeed been a vivid connection
between the two cultures – not least politically.
Mahatma Gandhi credited the writings and hunger
strike of former lord Mayor of Cork(who died in a
London jail), Terence Mac Sweeney as having inspired
his own peaceful protests. It has been remarked of the
similarity of Irish kingship at the Hill of Tara with the
Hindu Green Goddess of healing also named Tara.
Of this we can only speculate today but when we
consider the legacy of Egyptian princess, Scotia, let us
say that it can only enrich us to cast a wide net for our
imaginations
213
Irelands’ earliest script is thought to be that of Ogham. The finest collection of Ogham stones is on view in
Today there are Ogham stones to be found across the the cloisters of University College Cork. If in Dublin,
countryside their inscriptions worn by the passing years. an exhibition by Irish artist, Dorothy Cross also
Some of these mark the final resting places of ancient incorporates a collection of Ogham stones in her
Irish chieftains. Looking at the work of Markos Pogacnik exhibition at the Irish Museum of Modern Art . In
we can imagine these stones also served other lesser Kerry’s Dingle Peninsula, you can view a range of
known dimensions of the Irish landscape. Ogham stones in the grounds of Coláiste Íde the former
The much loved “hugging Saint”, Amma, has encouraged residence of Lord Ventry and today an Irish language,
Irish people around the world to reclaim their language girls boarding school. If you wish to see one of these
and their connection to the land. It has been stated that impressive stones in situ, the second largest standing
of all the languages in the world, the Irish language is Ogham stone is to be viewed in Blacksod on Mayo’s Erris
second only to Sanskrit for the spiritual energy that is Peninsula.
evoked within it. It is not difficult to see how this could The Ogham alphabet and corresponding letter sounds
be so. The Irish greeting, after all is “Dia dhuit” or, “God are of a pedigree akin to that of ancient Greek. Of all
be with you”. known languages, only Ancient Greek shares such a
In the margins of early manuscripts of Ireland we can see depth whereby each letter tells a story and extends a
Ogham glosses, notes written in an even more ancient mystical power. The Ogham alphabet, the original Irish
form than the Irish language itself. We can only marvel alphabet is a tree alphabet. It speaks directly to our
at the education that was available in Ireland in her connection with the natural world.
Golden Age.. Theirs was the literature and philosophy of Today there are many jewellers producing beautifully
ancient Greece and Roman civilization, the mathematics crafted Ogham inspired jewellery for you to enjoy.
of Persia, the languages of many regions and a cheerful
attitude of wonder in Creation; the natural world. The Ogham Alphabet
The Ogham alphabet and corresponding letter sounds
are of a pedigree akin to that of ancient Greek. Of all
known languages, only Ancient Greek shares such a
depth whereby each letter tells a story, an associated
mythology - and extends a mystical power. In it’s
original form, the Irish alphabet is a tree alphabet. It
speaks directly to the environment.
When we recall that the culture of Ireland until monastic
times, was an Oral culture that learning was passed on
through the development of memory, we can marvel
at the consciousness that would have existed for those
whose very words would bind them to the natural world
of which they are a part.
Early Irish scholars wrote of Ireland as having links with
India, and there has indeed been a vivid connection
between the two cultures – not least politically.
Mahatma Gandhi credited the writings and hunger
strike of former lord Mayor of Cork(who died in a
London jail), Terence Mac Sweeney as having inspired
his own peaceful protests. It has been remarked of the
similarity of Irish kingship at the Hill of Tara with the
Hindu Green Goddess of healing also named Tara.
Of this we can only speculate today but when we
consider the legacy of Egyptian princess, Scotia, let us
say that it can only enrich us to cast a wide net for our
imaginations
213
