Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

In a low-lying position immediately to the S of a small doline (diam. c. 5m, D. c. 2m), in rough pasture and karst limestone within a large multiperiod field system (CL009-059001-). Labelled ‘Cave’ on the 1920 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. This well-preserved souterrain (L c. 8.5m) has a partly stone-blocked drop-hole entrance (L 0.95m; Wth 0.8m; H 1.8m). A short section of upward-sloping passage (L 1.2m) extends to the NE from the entrance. The main passage first extends W (L 4.4m; Wth 0.8m) from the entrance, sloping downwards. The walls are corbelled towards the top and the passage is lintelled. The passage then turns (c. 90°) to the S, with light from the adjacent doline penetrating through the N wall at the corner. This N-S section (L 2.9m) is wider (Wth 1.25m), with the roof at the same level and the floor sloping down slightly. An outcropping rock juts down from the roof and there is a substantial amount of loose stone on the floor. The passage turns to SW and slopes more steeply downward (L c. 2m; D of drop c. 2m), opening into a natural chamber (CL009-059122-), the floor of which is intentionally blocked with stone spill from the passage (Self 1980, 181; Marion Dowd, pers. comm.).

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 30 March 2022

References

Self, Charles A. (ed.), Caves of County Clare. Bristol, University of Bristol Spelaeological Society.