Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

On a low hillock amidst generally rolling and undulating terrain, surrounded by tillage and pasture. Very good views in all directions. According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 366) this ringfort (KK012-012001-) 'with underground chambers', is known as '"Raavloughlan's fort,"'. A souterrain lies within the W quadrant of the interior of the ringfort. It was investigated by Healy (1890-91, 490) in the late 19th century, who describes it as consisting of, 'three splendid chambers; first chamber is 10ft. 6in. [c. 3.2m] x 6ft. [1.8m] wide, and 6ft. 2in. [1,87m] high; second chamber is 11ft. [c. 3.3m] long, and varies in width from 5ft. 1in. [1.54m] to 5ft. 10in. [1.78m], height of roof 6ft. 2in. [1.87m] to 3 ft. [0.91m]. The doors are about 2ft. 6in. [0.76m] high, and 16in. [0.41m] wide. The one from first room to second room is of inclined jambs; the others mostly the one width above and below. The third chamber is 11ft. 4in. [3.45m] x 7ft. [2.1m], and has a door on its north side, but there does not appear to be any chamber or passage to which it gave entrance. They must have intended to construct others at a future time. The chambers follow each other in a direct line, and the opening was in the centre of the rath. They are built of limestone and gritstone, but no indication of mortar of any kind being used. Within a hundred yards of the rath are two quarries, one of limestone, and the other of a whitish gritstone, such as is used in the building of these chambers....About eighty years ago, Kilkenny men when digging for gold, broke in the roof of the third chamber. Its floor is 14 feet [4.2m] below the surface, and I have made a rude staircase fro visitors to ascend and descend who would not care to travel on hands and feet through the doorways'. The souterrain has been backfilled, though one of the chambers with the remains of a corbelled roof is visible.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 15 May 2019

References

Healy, Rev. J. 1890-91 Miscellanea: "The Rath of Borrismore". Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, vol. 21, 594-5.