
What is recorded here
An Clochán holds the largest known underground passage on the Dingle Peninsula, tucked inside a ruined ringfort above Ventry Harbour. Men pulling stones from the site struck a slab-lined grave hiding an iron box of coins, proving the ground still keeps its secrets. The hut foundations and dark passage suggest people lived there, buried their dead and perhaps hid value from later hands.
Situated on a SW facing slope overlooking Ventry Harbour, very poorly-preserved ringfort KE052-048---- contains the most extensive Man-made underground passage (KE052-048001-) recorded on the Dingle Peninsula, as well as 2 possible hut-sites. When stones were being drawn from the site by the present landowner's father, a small, slab-lined grave was apparently uncovered, and discovered within this was an iron box containing coins.
There are possible traces of a hut foundation (KE052-048002-) in the NW part of the interior, and the entrance to the Man-made underground passage lies in the NE sector. Deane (1893, Fig.2) noted the foundation of another hut (KE052-048004-) overlying the latter.
The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 555. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload: 7 August 2013
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
Places near here
Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in An Clochán (tc Na Gleannta)Fairy fort / earthen ringfort · 242 yd
Enclosure in An Chathair AirdEnclosure · 321 yd
Séipéal Chaitlín Naofa [Saint Catherine's Catholic Church]church/chapel · 1.4 mi
Trá Ciarán BeachBeach / strand · 1.4 mi
Ventry Church (in ruins)Church · 1.5 mi
Site of Ballingolin CastleArchaeological place · 1.8 mi
Binn BreacMountain / peak · 2.0 mi
Gallarus OratoryHeritage attraction · 2.8 mi
Memorial to all who lost their lives in our seas.Memorial · 3.1 miOther information
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