Drumlohan Souterrain and Ogham Stones


Drumlohan souterrain and ogham stones, known locally as the Ogham Cave, is a souterrain with ogham stones forming a National Monument located in County Waterford, Ireland.

Location

Drumlohan souterrain and ogham stones are located in farmland 4 km east of Lemybrien.

History

The ogham stones were carved between 400 and 700 AD.
The souterrain is believed to have been constructed around the 9th century AD and is aligned WSW, facing the setting sun. Souterrains were storage sites and places of refuge.
In July/August 1867 a local farmer rediscovered the souterrain and ogham stones. In 1936 part of the souterrain was dismantled and some of the ogham stones re-erected above ground.

Description

Souterrain

This souterrain gallery is about 4.9 m long and 1.3 m wide, with a roof height of up to 1.2 m. It is constructed of orthostats roofed with lintels, and ten ogham stones were used as lintels and sidestones. One of the roofstones bears cup marks.

Ogham stones

The stones vary in size. All are greenschist, except for two of slate and one of conglomerate. The inscriptions are: