Cave — Mullaghfin

The record identifies Cave — Mullaghfin as Man-made underground passage. It does not safely name every person, family or worker who used it, or fix all phases to exact years.

The recorded type points to a built underground passage, often connected with a farm or defended home, although its exact use can vary. That explains the likely everyday purpose without claiming people, tools or customs that the exact record does not prove.

The saved source says: Located just off the summit of a prominent hill on the N-facing slope. This consists of a corbelled and lintelled passage (Wth at floor 1m; Wth at roof 0.7m; H 1.2m; L 11.4m plus) aligned ENE-WSW with the original entrance, now blocked, at WSW. The passage slopes down to the E and about half way along on the N side a passage (Wth 0.7m; H 0.8m; L 1.75m) leads N to a beehive chamber (diam. 2m) that is partly rock-cut at the base where the modern entrance was located. At the E end of the main passage a narrow doorway (Wth 0.5-0.67; H 0.87m) enters a beehive chamber (diam. 2.2-2.38m; H 1.93m) 0.45m over the level of the floor. From this chamber a doorway (Wth 1m; H 0.9m) at ground level leads ESE through a short passage (L 1.25m) and through another doorway (Wth 0.6-0.7m; H 0.9m) that has a single stone on its SW side into a final beehive chamber (diam. 2.2-2.43m; H 2.2m). There is an air vent (Wth 0.27-035m; H 0.22-0.25m) over the passage to the last chamber. 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.

The saved record does not establish one certain ending. A change in farming, water level, trade, fuel, ownership, route or settlement pattern may have ended the use, but no single cause is claimed without evidence.

Cave — Mullaghfin fixes a real piece of work or daily life to an exact place. Even where names are lost, its remains show how people obtained food and materials, organised land, made homes or adapted to the local ground.