Ogham Script

Ogham is an ancient alphabet that was used in Ireland and parts of Britain. It is made up of lines and notches carved along the edge of a stone. Ogham was used from about 1,600 years ago. Most ogham inscriptions are short and were carved on standing stones to mark names or boundaries.

How Ogham Works

Ogham uses groups of one to five straight lines. The lines are carved above, below, or across a center line, which is usually the edge of a stone. There are 20 basic letters in the ogham alphabet. Each letter is named after a tree or plant, like birch, oak, or ivy.

Where Ogham Is Found

About 400 ogham stones have been found, mostly in Ireland. Some have also been found in Wales, Scotland, and England. Most inscriptions are names, like the name of a person or their family. Ogham stones are important artifacts that teach us about the people who lived long ago.

Fun Facts

• Each ogham letter is named after a tree, so it is sometimes called the tree alphabet.
• Some people believe ogham was designed to be carved quickly on wood or stone edges.
• The oldest ogham inscriptions date back to about the 4th century.

Did You Know?

Some legends say that ogham was invented by the Irish god Ogma, and the alphabet is named after him.