Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

Souterrain in SW quadrant of ringfort (LI048-034025-) excavated by Ó Ríordáin (1940, 128-132) between 1934-5, the results of which were described by as follows; ‘The souterrain was, when found, completely silted up and, judging by the large amount of decayed organic matter in the silting it appears as if this had filled in during the occupation of the fort. The length of the souterrain was about 27 feet [8.2m]. At no point was the roof in position but some of the roofing slabs were found in the collapsed material, though sufficient were not found to make it appear as if all had dropped into the structure and we may suppose that some of them had been removed after the souterrain had gone out of use. The side walls were formed of comparatively small stones (average greatest dimension about 8 inches) [0.2m] with, here and there, a much larger block inserted, one of these being 3½ feet [1m] in length. The floor sloped in from the direction of the centre of the fort and the inner end of the structure was built into the bank of the ring-fort. The width of the souterrain along most of its length was rather less than 2 feet [0.6m] but it widened at the inner and outer ends to over 3 feet [0.9m]. The height of the walls which remained was about 2½ feet [0.6m].’

See attached plans and photos taken from Ó Ríordáin and Google Earth orthoimages.

Compiled by: Fiona Rooney

Date of upload: 1 September 2021

References

Ó Ríordáin, S.P. 1940 Excavations at Cush, Co. Limerick (1934 and 1935). Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 45, 83-181.