Ancient Dwelling

Within the E half of the interior of a cashel (CL010-064014-). Depicted as a small rectangular structure and named ‘Ancient Dwelling’ on the 1916 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Listed as ‘Hut Site’ in the RMP (1996). A ‘Cave’ or Man-made underground passage (CL010-064100-) is shown extending northwards off its N wall. Described by Westropp (1905, 222) as a ‘curious house foundation and Man-made underground passage’. A doorway in the S wall was flanked by ‘two regular blocks that looked like seats’ (Westropp 1896, 363). This rectangular house site (int. dims. 7m N-S; 6m E-W) is defined by upright and inwardly tilting slabs, the tallest of which is visible in the NE corner and has a hole through it (H 1.15m; L 1.7m; T 0.12m). Westropp (ibid.) noted that similar structures (CL009-059107-) exist at Ballyganner (CL009-059064-), c. 7km to the WSW. Bowmer (2019, 71) believes that the slabs would have retained sod walls and that the design fits in with rectilinear houses of post-800 AD date. A possible Man-made underground passage (CL010-0640180-) lies c. 3m to the SW. Compiled by: Mary Tunney, Olive Alcock and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 27 September 2021