Swift Catherine. Ogam Stones and the Earliest Irish Christians

Maynooth: Department of Old and Middle Irish, St. Patrick's College, 1997. — 156 p. — (Maynooth Monographs, Series Minor 2).The book investigates the emergence and significance of ogam stones in the context of early Irish Christianity and Romano-British influence in Ireland during the late fourth and fifth centuries. It explores the linguistic features of ogam inscriptions to establish the chronological framework of these monuments and assesses their role as markers for both graves and boundaries, suggesting a syncretism of influences that shaped the introduction of Christianity in Ireland.
The book examines the relationship between Ogam stones and early Irish Christian practices, focusing on instances of Maltese crosses and their inscriptions. The author studies specific examples such as the pillar stone at Vaydan in Cornwall and connections with early Christian bishoprics in England, highlighting the influence of Roman Christianity and its spread in Ireland. There are discussions on the significance of these monuments in both commemorative and dedicatory contexts, contributing to the understanding of early Christian heritage in Ireland.