The document discusses the origins and history of the Ogham writing system. There are three main theories for its origin: 1) It is named after the Irish god Ogma and was used for flowery speech. 2) It was created by Irish scholars to provide secret communication against Roman Britain. 3) It was invented by early Irish Christian communities to write short messages in Irish. Ogham inscriptions date from the 4th to 7th century AD in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. It is the earliest written form of the Irish language, using perpendicular or intersecting lines.

1. /IV — X A.D./

2. • There are several theories
concerning the origin of the
Ogham writing system:
• 1) It is thought to be named
after the Irish god Ogma (the
ancient Celtic god of flowery
speech and oratory).

3. • 2) It is asserted that
the alphabet was
created by Irish
scholars or druids for
political, military or
religious reasons to
provide a secret
means of
communication in
opposition to the
authorities of Roman
Britain.

4. • 3) The Ogham WS was
invented by the first
Christian communities in
early Ireland, out of a
desire to have a unique
alphabet for writing short
messages and inscriptions
in the Irish language.

5. • About 500 Ogham
inscriptions have been
found in Ireland,
Scotland, Wales and in
parts of western
England dating from
between the 4th and 7th
centuries AD.

7. • Ogham WS is the
earliest written
representation of the
Irish language. It was
created using of a
series of
perpendicular and
intersecting lines.
• Sometimes the vowels
use dots rather than
lines intersecting the
vertical axis.

10. Ballintaggart, Dingle, Kerry, Ireland

12. Brandsbutt early
Pictish symbol
stone. This face on
view of the stone,
taken on the 25th
of April 2008,
shows the Ogham
writing, which
came to Scotland
circa the BC, AD
time period.

13. The stone in Dromatimore in
Aghabullogue was originally located
in Mountrivers before it was moved to
its present site in 1851. The
inscription has been decoded as
MADORA MAQI DEGO or NO MAQI
DEGO. The translation is unclear but
it is thought to be in honour of some
important chief or warrior of the Clana
Deaghda tribe. These were a tribe of
knights who lived in Ireland and held
their territory in West Munster.
The stone is 2.72 metres high and 2.5
metres on the sloped side. It is 0.8
metres wide. It faces east and like the
well nearby is maintained in good
condition.

14. • Contemporary Irish jewelers
sometimes craft personal
items such as pendants and
bracelets using the Ogham
script. One such master
craftsman is Brian de Staic
o f An Daing e an.
• Plaques in Ogham by Ethel
Kelly are very popular as a
gift for any special occasion
in Ireland and England.
• Also it is used within the
scope of esoteric disciplines
for divination and for the
creation of various oghamic