[1] The stone, now reassembled, bears two incised Pictish symbols, a crescent and v-rod and a serpent and z-rod, and an inscription in Ogham, IRATADDOARENS.

[4] The inscription borne by the Brandsbutt Stone, IRATADDOARENS, has been described by Katherine Forsyth as appearing to be "utterly baffling".

[5][2] Suggestions include the possibility that it may contain a corrupted version of the personal name Ethernan.

He is referred to in an entry from the Annals of Ulster from 669 AD as having been killed by the Picts along with Corindu.

The ira- may be a Pictish verb cognate with Breton irha meaning "he lies".