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  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Shop
    • Prints
      • Floral & Botanical Prints
      • Irish Illustrations
      • Irish Ogham Prints
      • Irish Proverb Prints
    • Handcrafted Cards
      • Full Card Collection
      • Family Cards
      • Friendship Cards
      • Birthday Cards
      • Children's Cards
      • Confirmation Cards
      • Thank You Cards
      • Irish Ogham Cards
      • Special Occasion Cards
    • Kids & Baby Gifts
      • Soy Wax Melts
        • CLP Information
  • Christmas Shop
  • Etsy Shop
  • Sustainability
  • Contact
  • Life & Lore Blog
  • Irish Hearth Soy Wax Melts

What Is Ogham? Discover the Ancient Irish Alphabet

9/19/2025

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Ogham (pronounced “OH-um”) is an ancient alphabet used in Ireland over 1,500 years ago. Used as a script carved into stone, wood, and even trees. With its distinct notches and lines etched along edges, Ogham was more than just a way to write: it was a bridge between language, landscape, and lore.

At Ogham Tree, our handcrafted prints and cards often feature this remarkable script, not just for its visual beauty, but for the deep cultural meaning it carries. In this post, we’ll explore the history and symbolism of Ogham, and why it still matters today.

A Brief History of Ogham

Ogham is the earliest known form of writing in Ireland. Dating from around the 4th century CE. It’s made up of a series of strokes or notches grouped along a central line. Ogham is usually found on the the edge of a standing stone or stick.

Most scholars believe Ogham was developed by early Irish people as a way to write in the Irish language. 
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How Ogham Works

There are 20 original Ogham letters, each made of 1 to 5 strokes positioned in different directions across a central line.
Each letter has a sound (like modern alphabets), and also a tree or nature association.
​For example:
  • B (Beith) – Birch
  • D (Dair) – Oak
  • S (Sail) – Willow
  • N (Nion) – Ash

This deep connection with trees gives Ogham a spiritual and symbolic richness, often used in Druidic and poetic traditions.

Ogham in Modern Irish Art

​Ogham’s simplicity and elegance make it ideal for modern artistic expression. At Ogham Tree, we celebrate this heritage by creating archival art prints and handmade cards that incorporate original Ogham inscriptions.

We often use Ogham to spell out:
  • Irish words like Grá (love), Sonas (happiness), or Sláinte (health)
  • Names for personalized gifts
  • Irish blessings and phrases

These make beautiful, meaningful gifts for birthdays, weddings, housewarmings, or anyone with a love for Irish heritage.

​Sustainability Meets Tradition

We’re proud to combine ancient tradition with modern sustainability.
Every Ogham print and card is:
  • Made to order in our home studio in Ireland
  • Printed on recyclable or biodegradable materials
  • Packaged plastic-free with the planet in mind
  • Created using archival-quality paper and ink for longevity

​Give a Gift Rooted in Irish Culture

Whether you’re Irish-born or Irish at heart, Ogham offers a unique way to connect with your roots. Ogham help us create heartfelt & culturally rich gifts.

​Explore our Ogham-inspired collection

Ogham Prints
Irish Gifts
Ogham Cards
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Irish Mothers Day Gift Guide   2022

2/16/2022

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Mothers Day ​SUNDAY, 27 MARCH

With Mother's Day just around the corner this blog highlights a collection small Irish businesses with big hearts. ​From handmade chocolates to fitness packs we aim to help you find the perfect gift for your mammy this year ! ​

Unique Jewellery From Irish Makers 


Celtic Motherhood Knot Pendant
​
- ​By Claddagh Design 

​Claddagh Design is an Irish jewellery company founded by award winning silver and goldsmith Eileen Moylan. Eileen creates high-quality unique pieces. Inspiration for her designs is drawn from Ireland’s past. Each piece is individually handcrafted in her workshop at the foothills of the Cork and Kerry Mountains, and hallmarked by the Assay Office in Dublin Castle.
Check Out Claddagh Design Here
Follow Claddagh Design on Instagram : @​claddaghdesign

Raw Gemstome Earrings
- by Caroline StokesBerry - Lee 

Caroline Stokesberry-Lee is an Irish jewellery designer, working from her studio in Belfast.  Growing up on the North Coast of Ireland, she was deeply inspired by the raw rugged coastlines, and the mythical undertones of the Irish countryside, which surrounded her. Raw and uncut gemstones are often used in her work to emulate this, and her appreciation of the delicacy and beauty found in the imperfection of the natural world.  
Check Out Caroline Stokesberry - Lee
Follow Caroline Stokesberry-Lee on Instagram : @carolinestokesberryleedesign​

Irish Made Home Decor


Personalised Suncatchers 
- by Artwood

Giolla had been working as a carpenter for many years after his father taught him the trade as a young boy. ​Emily is trained as an organic horticulturist and she had been working at markets selling organic vegetables. Artwood is the innovative creation of both Giolla Liddy and Emily Sachs-Eldridge. It is a proud Irish family craft business that started back in 2013.
Check Out Artwood
Follow Artwood on Instagram : @artwoodireland

Copper Candle Holder Sets
- by Kopper Kreation

Kopper Kreation is an industrial homewares brand that uses reclaimed and recycled materials to create unique and eye-catching homewares. Emmet Bosonnet is the creator and founder. Emmet loves the raw materials of Copper, Steel and Brass and is inspired by all things industrial and finding alternative uses for items that tend to be disregarded or sent to a recycling centre or landfill.
Check Out Kopper Kreation
Follow Kopper Kreation on Instagram : @kopperkreation

Original Paintings & Prints 
- by Emma Campbell

Emma Campbell is an Irish artist who’s roots derive from a mixture of contemporary and Abstract art, you will find her work right in the middle, combining these two styles together. While painting her colectic pieces for exhibition and gallery work she also works on a commission basis creating one of a kind individual paintings.
Check Out Emma Campbell Art
Follow Emma Campbell on Instagram : @emmacampbellartist

Ogham Prints & Illustrations
- by Ogham Tree

Ogham Tree was founded by Ruthie an Irish artist and graduate from Ballyfermot Arts College. Embracing the history and lore of Ireland, Ruthie began crafting her illustrative prints and cards as a way to show a little love and appreciation to her family and friends. Every print made by Ogham Tree is sustainably created. 
Check Out Ogham Tree Prints
Follow Ogham Tree on Instagram : @oghamtree

Chocolates 


Grá Chocolate Box
- Grá Chocolates

Great family cooking was a part of Gráinne Mullins’ childhood, and she grew up in Galway with a love and respect for good food. Gráinne founded Grá Chocolates in her hometown of Kilchreest in 2020.  Grá Chocolates start with the finest ingredients in the world: ethically sourced Valrhona Chocolate, Casa Luker cocoa butter and the world’s best dairy produce –Irish cream and butter. Created in small batches, each chocolate takes three days to create.
Check Out Grá Choclates
Follow Grá Chocolates​ on Instagram : @gra_chocolates

Pamper Gifts & Fitness Packages 


Natural Skincare Sets
- By Kinvara

Joanne Reilly is the founder of Kinvara skincare . Joanne set up Kinvara nearly 10 years ago because she was frustrated with the products available to her. They either didn’t work or made things worse, were very expensive or didn’t reflect her values. With a doctorate in tropical ecology, working on endangered species, like elephants and rhinos Joanne knew how to help herself she turned to plants as a natural solution to her skin problems and with that belief in mind she set about making products for herself.
Check Out Kinvara
Follow Kinvara​ on Instagram : @kinvaraskincare

6 Week Signature Online Course
- By Fit With Bríd

In 2013 Bríd left her job in banking to pursue her dream of becoming a primary school teacher. That included 5 years of study, culminating in a very intensive 2-year Masters in Education. She had 2 children during this time while continuing to run her in-person fitness business and setting up the online fitness courses for which she is now best known for. Bríd understands the struggle that many women face on a daily basis to exercise and eat well. However, she does still believe that it is possible and that's why she wants to help.
Check Out Fit With Bríd
Follow Bríd on Instagram : @fitwithbrid

Salt Therapy & gifts
- By Salt Cave HaloTherapy

Using 100% natural ingredients and a patented technique Salt Cave Halotherapy have succeeded in creating tiles containing high quality, raw and natural salt. Assembled together, these tiles create an environment with therapeutic properties. They are proud to say that their salt rooms are the only Irish business to offer you the natural benefits of salt.
Check Out Salt Cave Halotherapy
Follow Salt Cave Halotherapy on Instagram : @saltcavehalotherapybalbriggan

Mothers Day Greeting Cards

If you are looking to pair any of these gifts with an Irish made greeting card check out our range below 
Ogham Tree Greeting Cards

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    Life & Lore

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    ​Welcome to Life & Lore

    My name is Ruthie, I’m an Irish artist and founder of Ogham Tree.

    I have created the Life and Lore blog to give myself a place to share my love for all things creative. 

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