Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

Located in a rath (MA072-014).
A souterrain passage of drystone construction extends on a NE-SW axis through the SW quadrant of the rath. The passage terminates in the rath bank at SW where an in situ roof lintel is exposed in the eroded slope of the bank. From there, it extends for 10m on to NE to the centre of the rath. A section (L 2.2m; Wth 1.15m) of the passage remains intact close to the bank at SW, with drystone walls supporting large roof lintels. To N of this the passage appears to be partly collapsed and can be traced as a sod-covered, sunken linear feature (Wth 0.8-1m; D 0.6m). Midway along its length, there is a junction with a side passage, which branches of for 2m to NW and then turns to NNE for a further 2m. The side passage is evident at ground level as a shallow, sod-covered depression.
The main NE–SW passage terminates roughly in the centre of the rath at a circular stone feature, which may be part of the souterrain or may be the remains of a house (MA072-014002-).

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 22 February 2021