Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

In pastureland, near the bottom of a NE-facing steep slope, to the NW of Church Crossroads and Glebe graveyard (CO070-039002). Souterrain discovered during the course of a Cork County Council road widening project. A large opening into a subterranean passage was uncovered as topsoil was removed. The survey of the souterrain was carried out soon afterwards (Drumm and Kiely 2006). The souterrain does not appear related to an enclosure or ringfort, but a number of associated archaeological features were identified and excavated around the souterrain, though the relationship between it and the these features is unclear, as is its relationship to the ecclesiastical foundation at Glebe. The original foundation date for the church and graveyard at Glebe is unknown, but the presence of two bullaun stones suggest an origin in the early medieval period. It is possible that the souterrain and the associated features were part of a larger early ecclesiastical enclosure (ibid. 4-5).

 

Excavation of the souterrain established that it was of the rock cut and earth cut roof type, which is only found in Co. Cork. The souterrain was composed of two chambers linked by a lintel-lined creep (H c. 0.85m), a small square recess (Wth 1.2m), an air-vent and a possible third chamber extending to the S under the modern road, and which had long collapsed. Chamber 1 was sub-rectangular in shape (H 1.65m, Wth 1.80m), Chamber 2 oval/sub-rectangular (L 2.4m EW, Wth 1.63m, H 1.65m). The creep between the two chambers was further divided by two upright stones on either sides of it (L 0.62 and 0.68m; Wth 031 and 0.38m, T 0.06 and 0.07m), with a lintel stone resting on top of them (L 0.48m, Wth 035m, T 0.06). Neither of the surviving chambers contained the original entrance, which is thought to have been located in the possible third chamber. Following the survey of the souterrain, it was backfilled.

 

Compiled by Anne-Julie Lafaye

 

Date of upload: 27 November 2025

References

Drumm, M. and Kiely, J. 2006 Archaeological Test Excavation Report, Church Cross Roads, Glananarig, Clondrohid, Co. Cork. Licence no. 06E0085. Unpublished report. Eachtra Archaeological Projects.