Man-made underground passage in Carhoovauler — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Under the north-west quadrant of the Carhoovauler ringfort, four narrow chambers wait in darkness. Three pillars in the first chamber still bear ogham marks, proving the passage was made, shaped and remembered rather than merely dug. The collapse above has hidden the entrance again, but the stone roof and vaulted earth remain below, holding a small human world that no longer needs light to be complete.

Discovered 1905 in NW quadrant ringfort (CO122-001001-). McCarthy (1977, 181-183) records four subrectangular chambers. Chamber 1 stone built W end; roofed with 6 capstones supported by chambers sides and 7 pillars; earth-cut cells to E and N. Other chambers earth-cut with barrel-vaulted ceilings. Chamber 1: L 2.9m; Wth 1.5m; H 0.85m. Chamber 2: L 3.2m; Wth 1.7m; H 0.9m. Chamber 3: L 3.8m; Wth 1.4m; H 1m. Chamber 4: L 3.5m; Wth 1.3m; H 0.8m. Three pillars in chamber 1 bear ogham inscriptions (CO122-001003-, CO122-001004-, CO122-001005-). Collapsed area in NW quadrant fort now indicates position. (Crowley 1906, 204; Macalister 1945, 77). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.