Man-made underground passage in Ardbraccan

Ploughing at Ardbraccan revealed a Man-made underground passage passage described as 37 feet long (L c. 11.3m) that terminated in a beehive chamber (diam. c. 2.7m). The passage had a spur described as 27 feet (L c. 8.25m) in length that also led to a beehive chamber (diam. c. 2.7m). The passages (Wth of base 0.75-09m; Wth of top c. 0.55-06m) are described as paved and lintelled. The entrance at SW was approached by an open sunken area (L c. 3.5m; Wth c. 0.55-0.8m) where a fire had been lit. Some animal bones, a bone pin and a fragment of a lignite bracelet were recovered, but the location has not been precisely recorded. (Duignan 1944) 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 2007 Revised: 29 March 2023 Duignan, M. 1944 Miscellany - Man-made underground passage at Ardbraccan, Co. Meath. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, vol. 44, 224.