What is recorded here

No visible surface trace in Mallowgaton, County Cork, Ireland, hides a stone-built passage discovered in 1979 after levelling of a ringfort. Uprights and lintels form a narrow chamber, blocked at one end but opening at the other into a circular earth-cut space, suggesting people once went down rather than merely burying things. Collapse has taken much of it, yet the surviving shape still points to a hidden room made for human entry, perhaps for storage, ritual or escape when the land above needed forgetting.

Discovered in 1979 following levelling of ringfort (096-06001-). The Man-made underground passage had been subject to considerable collapse and proved impossible to survey fully. Stone-built passage of uprights (H 0.8m; Wth 0.7m) roofed by lintels, extended 3m in N-S direction; blocked at S end but N end led to circular earth-cut chamber. (Hurley and Hurley 1979, 50-1). No visible surface trace. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). 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.