What is recorded here

An Clochán holds the largest known underground passage on the Dingle Peninsula, tucked inside a ruined ringfort above Ventry Harbour. A man pulling stones from the site once exposed a slab-lined grave containing an iron box of coins, suggesting the buried chamber still keeps its sharp edge. The hut foundations and hidden passage remain barely visible, waiting for someone careful enough to listen before touching them.

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.