Overview
Ballintaggart lies a few kilometres east of Dingle town, just beyond the Dingle Racecourse, in a quiet farming field of County Kerry. The site is best known for its nine Ogham stones, a National Monument under the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The stones sit inside a low, circular earthen enclosure about 30 m (100 ft) in diameter – the remnants of an early Christian monastic settlement that likely dates to the 5th century. The Irish place‑name Báile an tSagairt (Town of the Priest) reflects this ecclesiastical heritage, while locals also refer to the spot as An Cheallúnach or An Lisín.
Location & Access
- Irish Grid Reference: V 4645 9966 (also given as 52.1279° N, ‑10.2432° W).
- How to get there: From Dingle, follow the road east past the racecourse for about ½ mile. Turn west onto the lane that leads to Doon‑Shean; a right‑hand footpath climbs the low hill just before the lane turns north toward Dingle. The stone circle sits on the top of Ballintaggart Hill, roughly 1½ miles (2.5 km) southeast of Dingle town.
- Parking: A small lay‑by beside the racecourse provides a few spaces. As the site is in a working farm field, parking is informal – arrive early in busy periods.
- Public transport: The nearest bus stop is in Dingle; a short taxi ride is the most convenient option for visitors without a car.
History
The monastic community that once occupied Ballintaggart would have been a modest wooden complex, now long vanished. The enclosure itself survived, preserving the memory of the site through the centuries. From the 4th‑6th centuries AD, the nine Ogham stones were erected, probably as burial markers or territorial signposts for the local tribe Corcu Duibne (also rendered as DOVINIAS in the inscriptions). The stones remained a focal point for the community, even serving as a burial ground for unbaptised children up to the 1930s.
Ogham is the earliest known Irish alphabet, consisting of a series of straight‑line strokes cut along a central stem line. In Ireland about 400 Ogham inscriptions survive, with the highest concentrations in Counties Kerry, Cork and Waterford. The Ballintaggart stones are made from large, oval, water‑rolled sandstones sourced from Minard Beach on the Dingle Peninsula. Four of the nine stones bear simple Christian crosses, hinting at the gradual Christianisation of the area.
What to See & Do
The stone circle
Eight stones form a loose circle, each lying flat and pointing outwards, while a ninth stone occupies the centre. All are rounded, water‑worn sandstone blocks, each bearing a unique inscription. Highlights include:
- CIIC 155 – AKEVRITTI – a personal name.
- CIIC 156 – MAQQI‑IARI … DOVVINIAS – “Here is Mac‑Iair, son of the Corcu Duibne”.
- CIIC 157 – DOVETI MAQQI CATTINI – an early‑stage inscription dating to the time of Saint Patrick.
- CIIC 160 – a stone with a distinctive cross whose arms are of equal length, two ending in an “E”, one in a “Y”, and one in a “+”.
- CIIC 163 – N[E]TTA‑LAMINACCA … DOVINIAS – “Here is Laminacca’s champion, son of the Corcu Duibne”.
Each stone offers a snapshot of early medieval Irish society, naming individuals, their fathers, and tribal affiliations. For a deeper linguistic dive, the Ogham Database at https://ogham.celt.dias.ie/ provides transliterations and scholarly commentary.
The monastic enclosure
Although the original wooden church has vanished, the circular earthen bank remains visible. Walking the perimeter gives a sense of the modest scale of early Irish monastic life. The site’s quiet rural setting, framed by low hedgerows and grazing livestock, adds a contemplative atmosphere.
Visiting Tips
- Opening times: The monument is open year‑round with no formal opening hours – visitors may arrive at any time.
- Admission: Free.
- Facilities: No toilets, café or visitor centre on site. The nearest amenities are in Dingle town.
- Accessibility: The ground is uneven grass with occasional low stone steps; there are no wheelchair‑friendly provisions.
- What to bring: Sturdy walking shoes, a water bottle and, if you plan to photograph the stones, a close‑up lens – the weather can make the Ogham notches hard to read.
- Respect the site: It is a working farm field; keep to the grass, watch for livestock and do not touch the stones.
Nearby Attractions
Ballintaggart’s proximity to Dingle makes it easy to combine a visit with other Kerry highlights:
- Dingle – colourful fishing town with music, craft shops and excellent seafood.
- Dingle Racecourse – historic racing venue a short walk from the stones.
- Ardfert – home to the impressive Ardfert Cathedral and early‑medieval ecclesiastical ruins (≈ 38 km).
- Brandon – the Gaeltacht village and gateway to Mount Brandon, offering spectacular coastal walks (≈ 20 km).
- Brandon Mountains – for hill‑walkers seeking panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula.
The Heritage Ireland Historic Environment Viewer (https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8) offers a map of other archaeological sites in the area, such as the Blasket Centre and the ancient ring forts scattered across the peninsula.
Practical Information
Ballintaggart Ogham Stones are state‑owned National Monuments and are unguided; visitors explore the site at their own pace. The OPW does not provide staff on site, so exercise the usual care expected in a farming field – watch for livestock, stay on the grass, and keep a respectful distance from the stones. There is no admission fee and the monument is open year‑round, though the stones are exposed to the elements, so visibility may vary with weather.
Parking is informal; a small lay‑by near the racecourse often accommodates a few cars, but visitors should be prepared for limited space. As the site is not staffed, there are no visitor facilities such as toilets or a café – the nearest amenities are in Dingle town, a short drive away.
For those interested in scholarly details, the OPW’s official page (https://heritageireland.ie/unguided-sites/ballintaggart-ogham-stones/) lists the monument’s legal protection under the National Monuments Acts 1930‑2014. The site is also featured in the National Monuments Service database, confirming its protected status.
Accessibility
The ground is uneven grass and occasional stone steps around the enclosure, which may pose challenges for wheelchair users. No dedicated accessibility provisions are noted, so visitors requiring assistance should plan accordingly.
Ballintaggart Ogham Stones offer a rare, tangible connection to Ireland’s early medieval past. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a lover of ancient scripts, or simply seeking a quiet spot steeped in legend, the stones invite you to step back over fifteen‑hundred years and read the names etched into the very landscape of Kerry.