Ardmore Ogham Stone

The ruins of St Declan's Cathedral is on a hill above the village of Ardmore,C ounty Waterford, Ireland (Irish: Aird Mhór, Contae Phort Láirge, Éire). The two fifth century Ogham stones are in the remains of St Declan's Cathedral. St Declan lived in the late fourth and early fifth centuries. On the west of the site is a twelfth century round tower of about one hundred feet in height. The two Ogham stones have inscriptions; the one standing at about four feet high is in an arch shaped niche in the choir and the script is a dedication to 'Lugaid' and the other in the northwest corner stands taller and translates 'the beloved'. Ogham is the earliest form of writing in Ireland dating to around 4th century A.D. The alphabet is normally carved on standing stones to commemorate someone.,

Link: Ardmore, County Waterford website.

Image: Ogham stone interior of Ardmore Cathedral courtesy of Commons Wikipedia