What is recorded here

Two chambered caves hide beneath the Glenawillin ringfort, their earth-cut walls roofed with heavy slabs and marked by ogham script. Rev. J. Cotter pulled them from darkness in the 19th century, revealing spaces narrow enough to force a person to crawl or crouch. The smaller chamber measures barely ten feet long, while the larger stretches thirteen feet, creating a tight sequence that suggests deliberate movement rather than random collapse. Local tradition points to a curved stone revetment on the south bank as the entrance, keeping the caves tied to the fort instead of losing them under grass.

In ringfort (CO065-03201-). Discovered in 19th century by Rev. J. Cotter. Brash (1879, 134-135) described two earth-cut chambers, roofed with slabs. One chamber measured '13ft in length, 4ft 6in in width and 3ft 10 in in height'. 'The second passage was in length 10ft 6in, in breadth 3ft 1in, and in height 3ft 9in'. Brash does not mention that the chambers were connected by creepway but McCarthy (1977, 252) comments that the possibility is that they were. One capstone in each chamber was found to bear an ogham inscription (CO065-033---; CO065-098---). Tradition that entrance to Man-made underground passage is 6 - 8m outside S bank of ringfort; stone-faced revetment in lawn curves at this spot. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). 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.