Alphabetic symbols and their allographs
This page is intended as a reference sheet of alphabetic letter symbols in Irish manuscripts. One column holds the minuscules together with some of their allograph forms (e.g. rounded a, tall e and long s), while adjacent columns show their majuscule, subscript and superscript counterparts in parallel. There are a number of peculiar items in this list: (1) letters which are uncommon in Irish writing, or common only in specific usages, such as k, p, q, x and z; and (2) the symbol for ar and the mirrored c for con.
An Irish and/or Latin transcription is provided under each image. Collapsible boxes can be expanded to show a glimpse of special contexts in which these symbols may occur, including digraphs and other combinations. To see further details about a particular symbol, such as a fuller description, other images, related entries and manuscript sources, click on the image or its accompanying transcription. This will send you to the relevant entry in the collection.