Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

Within the NE quadrant of a cashel (GA104-269----). The present access point to the souterrain, at the S end of Chamber 1, is filled with collapse and rubble; the depth of soil above its projecting roof lintel is 0.4m. The chamber (L >7.55m; Wth 1.55m), which is aligned NNW-SSE, is filled to within 0.65m of the roof level with cleared field stones. Traces of side-walls to the S of the access point indicate that it extended further to the SSE. A wall recess (L 0.85m; Wth 0.55m; H 0.5m) is evident near the N end of the W side-wall. The end-wall is curved. A short passage (L 2.45m; Wth 1.65m narrowing to 0.8m; H 0.7m) off the W side-wall leads to a creep (L 2m; Wth 1.65m; H 1.1m) with a drop-hole (L 0.75m; Wth 0.55m) that accesses Chamber 2.
Chamber 2 (L 8.1m; Wth 1.75m at end-wall narrowing to 1.65m at creep; H 1.7m) is aligned NNE-SSW. It is constructed of massive boulders and a corbel layer which support the roof lintels. The N side-wall curves while the S one is straight. The floor level rises to the NNE and is covered with some debris including one boulder which formed part of the creep. A short passage (L 2.85m; Wth at base of creep 0.7m; H 0.95m decreasing to 0.85m) leads to another creep (L 1.65m; Wth 1.5; H 1.15m) with a drop-hole (L 0.55m; Wth 0.55m) that accesses Chamber 3.
Chamber 3 (L 10.6m; Wth 1.9m at end-wall narrowing to 1.4m at creep; H 1.8m) is aligned NNW-SSE and is similar in construction to Chamber 2; massive boulders (L 1.5m; Wth 1m; T 0.25m) and a corbel layer support the roof lintels (Wth 1.2m). Both side-walls are straight initially but then curve towards the back wall which is also curved. The floor in this chamber appears to be original. (Holt 1910, 155; McCaffrey 1952, 67, no. 45)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 27 April 2018

References

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 Unpublished MA thesis, National University of Ireland, Galway.

Holt, E.W.L. 1910 An abridged transcript of the Ordnance Survey Letters relating to parishes in, or partly in, the Barony of Dunkellin Co. Galway. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society 6, 123-69.