Ogham Stone - Bunkilla, Co. Cork

myminifactory

Discovered during drainage works in 1982, details of the site surprisingly remained unrecorded (Power 1997, 166). Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the stone was found approximately 200m NNE of a church site (CO061-073----), with a curved field boundary running N to W, and a fulacht fia (CO061-075----) c.100m to the SE of the find spot. A long narrow stone tapering and stained brown at the top measures 2.20m x 0.30m x 0.15m (Power 1997, 166). Evidently a palimpsest, the earlier inscription appears to have been pocked on three angles, while a later one was cut on one angle. The latter inscription includes extra space between the initial formula word ANM and the following personal name, a phenomenon observed in other ogham inscriptions (e.g. CIIC 229 Cunburrin, Co. Kerry and CIIC 118 Monataggart I, Co. Cork). However, it could also be an example of letter division, distinguishing the final M of ANM from the initial M of MAQQI. The use of space in ogham to distinguish letters and words has been discussed by Moffat (2011, 290). This later inscription is mostly legible and was read by Lankford (1993, 3-5), who interpreted the damaged X-forfid following the R of LASIR as a K, although he noted the possible alternative E. Considering the occurrence of ANM here, generally found in later inscriptions and frequently alongside vocalic use of the X-forfid (e.g. CIIC 187 Kilmalkedar), the transcription chooses E as the better option. After the X-forfid, there is an M score followed by a vowel notch and the spalled remains of the first Q of MAQQI. To the right of the angle at this point, the remains of 5 pocked scores (N) appear, apparently from the earlier inscription. These were suggested by Lankford to be vowel notches representing an I, which seems unlikely for a number of reasons, including their relative length. He also suggests that the MA could be read as O resulting in the well-attested KOI formula word. However, it is far more straightforward to simply read the X-forfid as an E and see the N as a probable remnant of the earlier inscription. Regarding the last name, Lankford's (1993, 3-5) BIR(R)AC(I)AS is questionable after the C. There is a spall on the top corner of the stone after the C and on the very top of the stone two scores (representing a D?) and three possible vowel notches can be detected. However, it is difficult to say whether these scores belong with the earlier or later inscription. The scores appear to be pocked rather than cut but some of the scores in the latter half of this inscription do not appear to be as sharply cut as the earlier ones, making distinguishing between the two inscriptions challenging. Transcription: ANM vac. MAQQỊ-LASIRẸ MAQ̣QI BIRṚAC...? Translation: 'Name/inscription of Mac-Laisre son of Berrach'