Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

Within the SW quadrant of a levelled rath (GA095-038----). This well-preserved drystone-built souterrain (L >14.3m) consists of three subrectangular chambers linked by two creeps. Access is gained at the partially collapsed E end of a chamber (L 2.3m; Wth 1.3m) that appears to mark the original entrance to the souterrain as crude steps lead down into it. It runs ENE-WSW and is filled with rubble. A simple creep (L 0.7m; Wth 0.5m; H 0.4m) at its W end leads to the 2nd chamber (L 4.6m; Wth 1.7m; H 1.6m) running NW-SE. An air vent is evident in its S side-wall. A drop-hole creep (L 2.2m), approached by four steps, at the NW end of this chamber leads to the 3rd chamber (5.5m; Wth 1.9m; H 1.9m) running NE-SW. (Holt 1912, 223; Westropp 1919, 172; McCaffrey 1952, 130, no. 22)

Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG

Date of upload: 19 December 2017

References

Westropp, T.J. 1919a Notes on several forts in Dunkellin and other parts of southern Co. Galway. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 49, 167-86.

Holt, E.W.L. 1911-12 Notes on the Ordnance Survey Letters relating to the barony of Dunkellin: iii - Ballynacourty parish. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society 7, 205-51.

McCaffrey, P. 1952 A contribution to the archaeology of the barony of Dunkellin, Co. Galway. Unpublished MA thesis, National University of Ireland, Galway.