What is recorded here

Three conjoined huts and a hidden underground passage occupy the slight southern slope above Dingle Harbour, standing less than a quarter mile from the Kilfountan early church site. The hut walls have collapsed into low banks of earth and stone, yet two parallel rows of upright stones still mark a possible entrance on the middle structure. A fallen roofing slab and three narrow ground holes reveal that people dug beneath this domestic cluster, creating a chamber no longer reachable. The arrangement suggests an ordinary dwelling that also concealed a secret chamber, perhaps for storage, ritual or refuge during storm and danger.

Circular univallate rath KE043-145---- is situated on a very slight, S facing slope on the generally level plain that lies between Dingle Harbour to the S and Lateevemore and Knockavrogeen to the N. Kilfountan early church site (KE043-144002-) lies c. 210m to NNW. The slightly raised interior contains the remains of 3, probably conjoined, hut-sites and an inaccessible Man-made underground passage. The 3 hut-sites (KE043-145001-, KE043-145003- & KE043-145004-) lie in a NE-SW line across the centre of the interior. They appear to be conjoined and were probably circular in plan, but the walls are now reduced to low banks of earth and stone, no more than .3m high. Two parallel rows of stones on edge, on the E side of the middle hut, may mark the site of an entrance. The origin of the low mound in the SE sector of the interior is not known. A prostrate slab in the SW hut (KE043-145001-) is probably a roofing slab of the Man-made underground passage (KE043-145002-) which is now inaccessible. Three small holes in the ground, marked X on the accompanying plan, open into the Man-made underground passage, but provide only a very limited view. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 467. 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.