105 



were used as mere building materials by the constructors of this rath 

 chamber, as many of the inscriptions were so placed, that they could 

 not have been seen but for the removal of the superincumbent earth, 

 as they were on the top angles of the roofing stones. 



And here I would remark, that it is most desirable, when disco- 

 veries of Oghams are made under such circumstances, they should, if 

 possible, be entirely uncovered. 



Before proceeding to describe the monuments of Drumloghan Souter- 

 rain, I would wish to make a few remarks on the obstacles that have 

 hitherto attended the development of this branch of our national anti- 

 quities. 



When the attention of Irish Archaeologists became directed to this 

 subject in the last century, much discredit was attached to the pursuit, 

 in consequence of the circumstances under which the Callan Mountain 

 discovery was brought under the notice of the learned ; and from the 

 mistaken belief, then very general, that the inscription there found was 

 a forgery, public interest in the subject died away. 



The subsequent discoveries of Mr. Pelham, though very remarkable, 

 failed to re-awaken the attention of our antiquaries ; and it was not 

 until the later more numerous finds of Mr. Windele and Mr. Hitchcock, 

 and the learned papers of the Eight Eev. Dr. Graves, showed that the 

 Ogham monuments held an important place in our national archaeology, 

 that a more general interest was awakened to the subject. 



It has been to me a matter of some surprise that our very best Irish 

 scholars have given scarcely any attention to the translation of these 

 inscriptions'; and I have heard it stated that such have on many occa- 

 sions refused to offer an opinion on, or attempt a translation of, copies 

 of inscriptions forwarded to them for that purpose. Such a fact has 

 had a very discouraging effect on the study of these monuments ; men 

 of humbler pretensions naturally shrinking from a task avoided by men 

 of greater learning and experience in Celtic philology. 



I rather think, however, that other important and pressing literary 

 obligations, occupying the time and attention of such men as the late 

 Professors 0' Donovan and 0' Curry, prevented them from entering on 

 new fields of investigation, rather than any inability to cope with a 

 subject which I believe either of these lamented scholars could easily 

 have mastered, had they turned their attention towards it. 



While it must be admitted that many of the inscriptions are im- 

 possible of translation, it is equally a fact that very many others, from 

 their extreme brevity and simplicity, can be easily understood ; the 

 failure of many attempted renderings resulting from one or other of 

 the following causes : — 



Firstly. An ignorance of the true nature and intent of the monu- 

 ments. 



Secondly. The linguistic difficulties presented by the obsolete 

 Gaedhelic in which they are inscribed. 



Thirdly. Ignorance of the contractions used in engraving on a 

 material where brevity was essential. 



