Man-made underground passage in Dunbell Big

In the 19th century a number of the enclosures in Dunbell Big were excavated (Prim 1852-3, 119-27; 1853-5, 397-408). Prim (1853-5, 403) describes a Man-made underground passage which was found in one of the excavated ringforts (KK024-010001- based on Prim’s map of 1872-3, 225 where this enclosure is annotated ‘D. The rath in which the Oghams were found; nearly obliterated). According to Prim (1853-5, 403), ‘On the north-east side [of the enclosure] there was an aperture in the inner face of the outer embankment, opening on the fosse which surrounds the central mound of the rath. This was formed by three flat-stones, two serving as sides, with one at top, the height being 2 feet 4 inches, by 1 foot 8 inches in width, and at first sight it had all the appearance of a “creep” forming the entrance to a cave; it was, however, obvious that it narrowed inwards so quickly and to so great a degree, that the human body could not be forced forward more than three or four feet, for the passage soon assumed the dimensions of a small sewer. By excavating about it, we quickly found that its entire length was but 13 feet 6 inches, and that it terminated abruptly, without leading to any chamber, or leaving any indication of the purpose for which it was constructed. Its course was parallel with the embankment, so that, independent of its having no vent, it could not have been intended as a sewer to carry off water from the fosse’. Two ogham stones (KK024-010003-; KK024-010004-) were found near the entrance to Man-made underground passage, to the NNE (ibid.). The monument has since been completely quarried out. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 9 November 2021