Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

In a cashel (MA092-101----).
A surface opening (1.6m N−S; 1m E−W), partly blocked by sheets of metal, is located close to the inner face of the enclosing stone bank in the NW quadrant of the cashel. The opening is flanked by two in situ roof lintels and must be the result of the collapse or removal of an intervening lintel. The opening appears to occur at a junction/change of direction in the drystone-built souterrain. Beneath the lintel on the W side of the surface opening, a narrow lintelled passage or creep (partly blocked) appears to extend to N or NNW beneath the enclosure wall. Beneath the lintel on the E side of the surface opening, there is access to a wider passage/chamber (L c. 4m; Wth c. 1.6m; H 0.7-1m), which slopes down, extending to NE. At the NE end of the chamber, in the E, there is an opening at floor level to a creep, indicating a continuation of the souterrain. A shallow area of surface subsidence (Wth c. 1m; D 0.4m) in the enclosure interior 15m to SE of the opening described above probably also marks the souterrain.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 25 May 2022