Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a small platform on a north facing slope near the foot of Tievebaun Mountain within a an area of dense scrub and hazel. The entrance to the souterrain is located within the forecourt area of the court tomb (SL006-025001-) and is exposed at the northern end of a rectangular pit-like depression. The souterrain passage extends for at least 2.5m in a northerly direction. The walls are composed of dry-stone walling and it is roofed by lintels. The entrance opening measures 0.85m wide and is 0.4m high. It was recorded in 1943 as having 'two entrances, each about 2 ft. [0.64m] square. Local accounts say there are three chambers. Only one is no accessible. It measures approx. 20 ft. [6.4m] long by 6ft. [1.92m] wide. From it there is the usual creep-hole into a second chamber which is at present under water but seems to have the same dimensions as the former. A second entrance leads apparently from the outside to the chamber which is now flooded.' (Irish Tourist Association Survey). A second entrance was not located and the souterrain was not explored.

SL006-025002-_01.jpg. The entrance to the souterrain passage.
SL006-025002-_01.jpg. The east wall of the souterrain passage just inside the entrance.

Compiled by: Paul Walsh

Date of upload: 29 August 2014

References

Irish Tourist Association. Surveys undertaken in the 1940s for the Irish Tourist Association (now Fáilte Ireland) relating to ‘Natural features, antiquities, historic associations etc.' Extracts from these surveys were copied into the Topographical files of the Office of Public Works and these have been incorporated into the Sites and Monuments Record files (National Monuments Service).