Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

Univallate rath KE036-028 enclosing a well-preserved souterrain KE036-028001- and traces of a stone hut KE036-028002-. It is situated on fairly level ground with good open views in all directions.

The Co. Kerry Field Club (1945, 647) noted the outline of a circular stone hut site (KE036-028002-) in the interior. This lies a little N of centre, but is now represented only by a spread of loose stones. However, the L-shaped souterrain (KE036-028001-) which opened from inside the hut-site is still preserved. This is comprised of a c. 9.2m long passage and a large, rectangular chamber. The entrance is marked by a drystone-lined hollow measuring .92m x 1m x .9m deep. A lintelled opening in its NNW side measures .79m in width and .5m in height. From this the 1st section of the drystone-built passage leads NW for 3.7m. It is roofed by 8 flat slabs, that over the entrance being set c. 0.15m below the level of the remainder. At its SE end the passage is .79m wide, but it gradually narrows to .45m at its NW end. At this point it angles slightly and then continues for a further 5.5m in a NNW direction. The roofing slab spanning the junction between the 2 sections of passage has either collapsed slightly or is set below the general level of the roof. The 2nd section of the passage is .55m wide at its SSE end and .65m high, but gradually increases to an average width of 1.05m. The floor is obscured by spill and loose stones, but the passage is a maximum of 1.4m high and is roofed by 10 flat slabs. The NNW end wall has been broken away in fairly recent times to provide access to the well-preserved chamber built at right angles to the passage. The original access was via a short creepway at the base of the wall, but this has been almost completely destroyed. However, the porthole slab that spanned its N end is preserved in situ. The aperture, now blocked, measures .36m in width and .38m in height. This opened onto the E end of the S wall of the drystone-built chamber which measures 4.9m long, 1.3m wide and 1.8m high. The side walls incline inwards slightly, reducing the width to 1m at the level of the 6 roofing slabs.

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 405. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 7 August 2013