Ogham Alphabet

The Ogham Alphabet is one of the oldest known writing systems used for the early Irish language. It dates back to around the 4th century CE and is often found carved on stones across Ireland and parts of western Britain. These inscriptions typically mark names or short messages and are read from bottom to top along the edge of a stone.

The Ogham script consists of a series of lines and notches arranged along a central stem line. It includes 20 primary characters, each representing a specific sound. The letters are grouped into four sets called aicmí, with each group containing five letters. The simplicity of its strokes made it easy to carve into wood or stone.

Ogham holds deep cultural and historical significance in Celtic heritage. It is sometimes called the “Celtic tree alphabet” because many of its letters are associated with tree names. Today, Ogham remains a fascinating symbol of Ireland’s ancient language and identity, often studied by linguists, historians, and enthusiasts of Celtic culture.