Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on a NE-facing slope. In September 1975 a souterrain came to light through subsidence and access could be achieved through the roof of the subrectangular beehive chamber (dims 2.9m x 2.64m). From this a lintelled passage (max. Wth 0.94m; H 0.5-1.2m) extended E (L 3m) through an entrance marked by single boulders. At the E end the passage widened slightly into a small chamber (dims c. 1.7m E-W; c. 1.3m N-S) roofed by two massive roofstones, and turned S (L 3.4m) into a more irregular N-S passage (Wth 0.65-1.2m; H 0.7-1.2m). At its S end the passage turned W but was completely blocked. However, it is thought that the original entrance could not have been far off. (Ryan 1975)

See the attached plan from Ryan (1975)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 10 July 2007
Amended: 2 August 2022

References

Ryan, M. 1975 A souterrain at Painestown, Co. Meath. Ríocht na Mídhe vol. 6, No. 1, 35-7.