Cloghanecarhan


Cloghanecarhan is a ringfort and ogham stone forming a National Monument located in County Kerry, Ireland.

Location

Cloghanecarhan is located on the western end of the Iveragh Peninsula, south-southeast of Cahersiveen.

History

The ogham stone was erected some time in the Middle Ages; based on the grammar, it is a late inscription, c. AD 600. Next to it is a stone cashel used for later Christian burials.

Description

The ogham stone originally stood at the east entrance of the ringfort but now lies to the north. It is slate, 208 × 38 × 18 cm. The inscription reads EQQẸGGNỊ Q̣ ṂẠQI-CAṚATTỊNN ; this is overwritten on an earlier inscription, DA AVI DALAGNI MAQI [C--. The same name, in the form MAQI-CAIRATINI, appears on an ogham stone in Painestown, and it means "devotee of the rowan." The first element of the townland name could mean either "ford of stepping-stones" or to a stone beehive hut, such as is found in the cashel.
The ringfort was known locally as 'Keeldarragh'; it is circular and enclosed by a bank with entrance at east and "pillars" at the west end. Inside is a circular hut, three leachta, a souterrain and a cross slab.