Man-made underground passage in Johnstown (muskerry West By.)

Discovered in 1976 during agricultural improvements and investigated by J.P. McCarthy (1977, 260-2). Four sub-rectangular earth-cut chambers with barrel-vaulted ceilings; floors of chambers 1-3 excavated in bedrock.Chamber 1: (L 2.65m; Wth 1.4m; H 0.9m; long axis NE-SW); SW end collapsed; short stone wall in NE corner; creepway in N corner to SW side of second chamber. Chamber 2: (L 2.7m; Wth 1.6m; H 0.9m; long axis NW-SE); present entrance through collapsed ceiling; creepway in SE corner to third chamber. Chamber 3: (L 3.2m; Wth 2.1m; H 1.1m; long axis N-S); short stone wall at Send; creepway in SE corner to N corner of fourth chamber. Chamber 4: (L7.6m; Wth 1.6-1.15m; H 1.05m; long axis NW-SE) narrows towards S; recess in N wall filled with stones, removed by landowner; vertical shaft through ceiling 3.4m from SE end blocked by two stones; possibly original entrance; trench in floor of S end exits to stone-lined drain leading SE. Floor inchamber 4 lower than others. McCarthy (ibid.) suggested that trench was catchment for water. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009