Man-made underground passage in Lissardagh

In level tillage, discovered in 1985 when ground collapsed. Three chambers linked by creepways; side walls rock-cut but roofs earth-cut. Chamber 1: rectangular (L 6m; Wth 2m; H 1.5m; long axis N-S) with air vent in SW corner, infilled construction shaft at N end, creepway to chamber 2 just S of centre in E wall. Recent collapse at S end. Chamber 2: roughly T-shaped with extensions to E and W at N end (L 5.6m; Wth at centre 1.4m; Wth at N end 2.8m; H 1.25m; long axis N-S). Infilled construction shaft at NW corner, creepway to chamber 1 in SW corner, creepway to chamber 3 in centre of N wall. Chamber 3: roughly rectangular (L 4m; Wth 1.45m; H 1.4m; long axis N-S) with infilled construction shaft at SW corner, creepway to chamber 2 at SE corner. Just S of centre in E wall funnel-shaped extension (1.1m N-S; 1m E-W) which is probably original entrance, now blocked by scree of spoil on which rested legs and feet of human male c. 1.69m tall (bone report pers. comm. Barra O Donnabháin). 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