Drumlohan souterrain and ogham stones, known locally as the Ogham Cave, is a souterrain with ogham stones forming a National Monument located in County Waterford, Ireland.[1][2][3]
The ten ogham stones were carved between 400 and 700 AD.[5]
The souterrain is believed to have been constructed around the 9th century AD and is aligned WSW, facing the setting sun. Souterrains were storage sites and places of refuge.[6][7]
In July/August 1867 a local farmer rediscovered the souterrain and ogham stones. In 1936 part of the souterrain was dismantled and some of the ogham stones re-erected above ground.[8]
This souterrain gallery is about 4.9 m (16 ft) long and 1.3 m (4 ft) wide, with a roof height of up to 1.2 m (4 ft).[9] It is constructed of orthostats roofed with lintels, and ten ogham stones were used as lintels and sidestones (some of them being installed upside-down).[10] One of the roofstones bears cup marks.[11]
The stones (CIIC 272–281) vary in size. All are greenschist, except for two of slate and one of conglomerate. The inscriptions are:
This area of Waterford has several other nearby sites with Ogham Stones: North east of Stradbally is Toberkillea with two Ogham Stones, nearby is Island Ringfort which has a Bullaun and a fallen Ogham Stone, north east of Dungarvan is Garranmillon with two Ogham Stones, north west of Dungarvan is St. Seskinan's church at Knockboy with multiple Ogham Stones[16] and Kilcomeragh near Lemybrien with one Ogham Stone.[17]
drumlohan.
