Ogam Stones

Ogam is the earliest writing in the Irish language.  It is an alphabet, where the script is cut into the edge and sides of stones.  The earliest Ogam stones date from the 5th to 7th century and recorded the names of people, as a type of commemoration or memorial.  The inscriptions start at the bottom and move up the stone and sometimes they continue across the top and down the other edge.

The Cork University collection began in 1861 and continued until 1945, all stones, with the exception of one stone, are from Co. Cork.  The collection is housed in the ‘Stone Corridor’ of which is part of the Main Quadrangle that is constructed of limestone blocks.

Many of the stones were found in souterrains, which is a series of underground chambers or passageways that were likely used as a refuge from attack.  Some of the stones came from stone circles and one had a modern use as a lintel in a pigsty.

We went on a walking route along the River Lee and dropped in at the University to look at the Ogam Stones.  There are lots of stones in situ in the countryside in Co. Kerry but we never did get to visit one.

After we left the University we simply did a lot of walking in Cork; however, we were not feeling too peppy today, due to our late night and lack of sleep.  Therefore, we called it a day fairly early and waked back to our apartment.  Tomorrow we plan on an excursion out of the city by train.

Cork University

The Stone Corridor

Ogam Stone, deeply cut

Stone With Cup Marks

Beautiful Door in Stone Corridor

River Lee

Trees are leafing out, the trees are huge

At long last, the final installment of the History of Ireland...

Good Friday Agreement, 1998

This was a power sharing agreement that gave the representatives of each community the veto over the other.  Legislation would require a 60% approval to pass and the British Secretary of State would remain in Northern Ireland.  The British would still have responsibility for law and order.  Paramilitary prisoners were to be released in two years if the cease-fire was maintained.  There was also a commitment to fair employment and anti discrimination.  North - South administrative bodies were set up to address border issues, tourism, education, health and environment.

However, the issue of IRA weapons decommissioning was holding up the power-sharing agreement; this dragged on into 1999 and 2000.  In the 2001 election, Paisley’s DUP replaced the Ulster Unionists as the party with the majority of seats in the assembly.  Then in 2003, the Sinn Fein party replaced the SDLP as the nationalist party with the most seats, the DUP also held their majority, the extremist parties had overcome the moderates.

Finally, in 2005, the IRA decommissioning of weaponry was verified by independent witnesses and new negotiations could proceed.  This led to the St. Andrews Agreement of 2006.  Assembly authority would be imposed over both ministers and the North - South administrative bodies and there was a ministerial code of conduct.  The Catholic’s position had improved as their culture was promoted and strict anti discrimination and fair employment legislation exists.

The power-sharing executive finally met in May of 2007 with Paisley of DUP as first minister and McGuinness of Sinn Fein as deputy first minister.  This was such a long time coming, unbelievably long.