What is recorded here

In 2001, engineers cutting the Youghal Bypass uncovered a narrow earth tunnel linking two ancient enclosures. The passage stretched six metres through solid ground, forcing anyone inside to crawl on hands and knees. A faint trace of charcoal suggested wooden planks once lined the floor, though no fire remains survived. The excavators believed people stored goods rather than hid from danger, yet the cramped darkness still feels like a secret kept between neighbouring homes.

This Man-made underground passage (L 6.1m; Wth 0.9m; max. H 0.9m) was discovered in 2001 during archaeological excavations in advance of the N25 Youghal Bypass. It was a simple earth-cut Man-made underground passage comprising a single chamber that was orientated N-S. This Man-made underground passage extended from the interior of an enclosure (CO067-087----) into the N fosse of an adjacent enclosure (CO067-086----). The sides of the Man-made underground passage sloped steeply and the base (Wth 0.5m) was flat and inclined from N-S. A small thin spread of charcoal, found above the basal layer of the Man-made underground passage floor, was suggestive of burnt planking, though no substantial in situ burning or any other form of lining was evident (Noonan et al. 2004, 39). According to the excavators (ibid.), it is most likely that this Man-made underground passage was used for storage rather than refuge. (Noonan 2003e, 29-30; Noonan et al. 2004) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009

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