Corrower (aka Currower) Ogham Stone is situated in a meadow beside a farmyard in an area that’s rich in prehistoric monuments, there are around 12 in the diameter of a kilometre. On account of this I believe that is why RA Macalister, renowned Irish archaeologist, wrote in 1945 that the Ogham Stone was a pre-existing standing stone that was later inscribed with Ogham. The stone is gargantuan and would impress the most nonplussed passer-by; measuring almost 3 metres in height, 1 metre in width and 30cms in depth. The stone tapers in width from the top to the bottom and its long axis is aligned North to South. In 1938 the Ogham inscription was recorded however this has been quite badly weathered but still can be somewhat seen. Macalister recorded the parts of the Ogham he could read as stating MA]Q CERAN[I] AVI ATHECETAIMIN ‘[son of] Cérán grandson/descendant of ? (unidentified name). The inscription is thought to date from the 6th or 7th century. The stone is covered quite heavily in lichen especially at its top. Interestingly there is some discussion on the cleaning of lichen by local school children on the Dúchas Schools collection, where it is noted that the principal of the local national school at Corrower a Mr Cunney stated that the name name Currower/Corrower derived from, “Coirthe Oghmhar”, from “Coirthe” – standing stone – and “Oghmhar” – bearing Ogham.” However Logainm, the Irish place names database, states that the name derives from the irish ‘Corr’ meaning a rounded hill and also records that in 1838 it was documented as ‘Cor odhar, ‘grey round hill’. Whatever the inscription and the origin of the name what is certain is how beautifully striking this mammoth is and its surroundings very well kept, a credit to the landowners.
GPS: 54.07227, -9.07828