Man-made underground passage in Kilteenbane

Densely overgrown rath KE037-043---- containing a now inaccessible Man-made underground passage and traces of 3 hut sites. It is located at the E edge of the fairly level tract of land that lies between the foot of Corrin mountain to W and the Finglas river to E. (4) (KE037-043002-) According to Browne et al, the Man-made underground passage is roughly T-shaped in plan with a subsidiary passage opening off the N side of the longer passage. The present entrance occurs at the W edge of the platform, but is unlikely to be original as it would formerly have been contained within the thickness of the bank. The gap beneath one of the roof slabs here is too low to permit access, but the passage can be seen to run NNE and is c. 5m long according to Browne et al. It is of drystone-construction and is roofed by a series of large, flat slabs. A drystone-built air-shaft leads upwards from the W wall of the passage to the outer face of the bank. A 2nd passage opens off the E wall of passage 1, about 1m from the entrance, and, according to Browne et al, this extends c. 12m to clochaun (KE037-043001-). A large slab in the wall of this latter may mark the entrance. About 1.75m from the W end of this passage, movement was restricted by a round-headed, porthole slab. A 3rd passage opened off the N wall a little E of the creepway and ran for a short distance to NE before opening onto the surface. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 480. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013