As Cluaran we spend a lot of time in the Viking era. When people think about this time they usually also think about Futhark runes. Some go on to discover the variations in types of Futhark. There are elder runes, younger runes, Futhark and Futhork, poems … Still fewer people explore Ogham.
Like Futharks there is evidence for Ogham runes being used while Rome was the dominant culture. The runes are associated with Ireland, but further research will quickly reveal evidence of their use throughout the British Isles at various times. They are found carved in stone, and also later on in manuscripts.
The quote on the image which introduces this post refers to their use in cryptology. A secret way of writing (the quote is referred to in this article which describes an Irish scholar perhaps imitating an ealier Latin scholar). Most of the Ogham inscription found carved in stone though are interpreted as mentions of people. Public announcements rather than secret lore! Does this mean that have lost a library of lore held in twigs, or twig like runes on manuscripts?
What seems clear from the manuscripts which have survived is that if you are interested in exploring runes, and searching mysteries, then this is something you share with our ancestors. During the Viking era, in the disruption and turmoil, people were being taught their letters and runes. Books were copied and distributed.
This post was inspired by news of a free to access online session which will be held in Glasgow
Find out how digital technologies can transform understanding of ogham writing with Professor Katherine Forsyth and Dr Megan Kasten, OG(H)AM Project, University of Glasgow, at this University of Glasgow Archaeology Research Seminar.
But if those times don’t suit you, here are some links. Perhaps they are ‘keys’ to help you unlock lore that has been stored and treasured. Hidden, wrapped like a present.
Compiled in C13th from earlier sources, the book of Ballymote
A page with clues about where to find Ogham on stones