Ogham stones at Churchclara in Co. Kilkenny

Medieval upcycling: ogham stones used in the construction of a pre-Norman church

When looking at medieval buildings, you never quite know what you might find. In many instances, there are 'recycled' or reused parts from older buildings, that were reused in surviving later constructions. Early to mid medieval windows inserted into late medieval buildings, especially churches, is quite common. With a discerning eye you can pick these out, and learn more about the history of the site in question. Often the remains were taken from earlier buildings on the same site, that the extant constructions replaced.

Probably the most exciting 'secret' to uncover in a medieval building is the use of Ogham stones. These can sometimes be found in buildings being used as lintels over windows or doorways. The images below show Churchclara, a pre-Norman church in Co. Kilkenny. I visited this site a few years ago looking for the two ogham stones which were reused in building this church. Both ogham stones are pictured below, one is at ground level in the north wall of the nave, the other is in the east wall, just under the east window.

Churchclara in Co. Kilkenny, viewed from the road.

Beneath the east window, this ogham stone is somewhat obscured.

This ogham stone is at the base of the north wall of the nave, immediately east of the north doorway.

For more on these ogham stones, including detail on the inscriptions and some fantastically detailed 3D rendered images, please see the links below to the wonderful Ogham in 3D Project.

Churchclara I: https://ogham.celt.dias.ie/stone.php?lang=en...

Churchclara II: https://ogham.celt.dias.ie/stone.php?lang=en...