Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

In the SW quadrant of Rinbaun ringfort (CL030-021----) and close to a house site (CL030-021002-). Described by Westropp (1911, 132-3) as ‘a narrow passage 2 feet wide and at present only 3 feet high; it is roofed with long slabs; the outer wall is only a foot thick; about 10 feet is broken out but the firmly set roof-slabs project and hold up the bank; the passage is complete for about 10 feet to the south. It is a rare feature, especially in an earthen fort, being similar to those in the Grianaun of Aileach and the so-called ‘Fort of the Wolves’ at Fahan in Kerry.’ 

At a slightly later date Rinbaun ringfort is described by Westropp (1915, 351) as having ‘the most remarkable feature…the curved passage or souterrain… It is a narrow passage, 2ft. wide, and now barely 3ft. high, the outer wall only a foot thick and much broken, but the strong roof slabs remain.’ The souterrain was not evident during a field inspection of the ringfort in 1999.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Date of upload: 22 October 2025

References

Westropp, T.J. 1911 Cahermurphy Castle and its earthworks, with certain forts near Milltown-Malbay, County Clare. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries 41, 117-137. Westropp, T.J. 1915 Ancient remains on the west coast of County Clare. NMAJ 3, 344-62.