Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Souterrain
Ardnurcher, County Westmeath, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Ardnurcher
- County
- Westmeath
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- SMR number
- WM031-106----
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
No surface remains visible of any possible souterrain located on or in close proximity to the motte and bailey castle (WM031-099----) (Bradley et. al. 1985, 14). In 1788 John Brownrigg (1788, 46) described the motte and bailey castle at Ardnurcher as ‘a high truncated cone, though not quite circular or insulated, as it is part of a long narrow ridge. It is surrounded with a trench and an outer mound of earth, having very rude caves down through its centre, which were open lately, and may be examined at any time by the curious, their entrance being known to everyone in the neighbourhood. The reference to 'caves' may suggest the presence of a souterrain on the motte and bailey castle. The precise location of these 'caves' if they existed has not been identified.
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 14 August 2014
References
Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H. 1985 Urban archaeological survey - county Westmeath. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.
Brownrigg, J. 1788 A descriptive account of the fort of Ardnorcher or Horseleap, near Kilbeggan, in the County of Westmeath, Ireland; with conjectures concerning its use, and the time of its erection. Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy 2, 43-50. Dublin. George Bonham.