Starting back in the 4th century, an ancient alphabet named Ogham made its appearance around Ireland and Wales. It’s use was “monumental” in that it was used for property boundary markers and on grave stones. Usually, it was written wrapping around the corner of a large vertical stone.
While hundreds of Ogham stones survive in Ireland and Wales, most locations border the Irish Sea. I never expected to find one in the Belmullet area and yet, there is one on the Mullet!
Built in the 10th century, Cross Abbey is due west of Binghamstown. The Atlantic has slowly encroached on the grounds, but parts of the Abbey remain, as do the graves of several famous (and in some cases infamous) residents of the Mullet.
And there, forming the corner of an old grave, is a two meter high Ogham stone. Unfortunately, while a few letter are discernible, the majority is illegible, so we will never know who it was meant to commemorate.
I have plans to someday get an Ogham tattoo of my last name on my right forearm. It would be great if I were to get it in Ireland!
