Ogham Stones Sculpture
by Artist Eileen MacDonagh
This sculpture was unveiled July 2002 as a testament to the extensive road development by Carlow County Council on the N80 a few kilometre south of Ballon village. It is located at an elevated site near Kildavin overlooking the inspiring valley there. Indeed the N80 from Ballon to Bunclody has some of the most pleasing scenery in the county - a joy to drive.
The limestone column is 16ft tall and weighs 14 tons. The sphere is 2.5ft dia. and weighs 3 tons.
The artist has based her work on the
Ogham (pronounced OH...m) stones where the stones were carved at the
edges in an early form of writing and signs. An early form of Celtic
writing dates to the 4th Century.
All the information on this topic is at
www.shee-eire.com from where I 'borrowed' this photo of a stone
showing the carving. It's well worth a visit.
