Man-made underground passage in Baronstown Demesne

The precise location of a possible Man-made underground passage discovered in 1793 at Kilbixy graveyard (WM011-040005-) has not been identified. The following account was given of the discovery; '‘A few days ago the labourers in throwing up a fosse round the new church of Kilbery [Kilbixy], in the Co. Westmeath, now building by the Right Hon. Lord Sunderland, discovered a subterraneous passage, and on following it by his Lordship’s directions, they came to a number of cells, some oval and others circular, from 18 to 6 feet [5.5m-1.8m] diameter, with small arched entrance from one to another. These cells are of rude masonry, with small horizontal funnels from each, supposed to admit air; the use of these we are at a loss to judge of; they now cover over a quarter of an acre of ground, and new discoveries are making every day’ (Anon. 1793, 316). The above account suggests that the fosse to the NE of the graveyard cut across the Man-made underground passage which is located in this general area or somewhere along the line of the enclosing fosse. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 12 July 2018