What is recorded here

Under the southern bank of an ancient ringfort in Óenach Clochar, a nine-metre stone chamber still holds the shape of human hands. Dated to roughly 520 and 690 AD, it lay beside a hearth where bone combs and animal remains were left behind. Two buried people faced the passage with iron knives at their sides, suggesting the hole served both life and death. Stenberger opened it in 1966, but the darkness inside has kept its own secret ever since.

In pasture in an area known locally as Óenach Clochar, 115m E of townland boundary with Mitchelstowndown North. Westropp (1917-19, 67) described the Óenach Clochar as an ancient Celtic landscape and likened it to Tara, Telltown and Brugh na Bóinne in Co. Meath, and nearby Knockainey Hill, Co. Limerick. Ringfort (LI041-013011-) excavated by Marten Stenberger in 1966 and the remains of a hut site (LI041-013019-), Man-made underground passage (LI041-013020-) and burials (LI041-013021-) were uncovered. Excavations by Stenberger (1966, 38) were undertaken in about four-fifths of the enclosure (LI041-013011-), and in addition, three sections were cut through the bank and the fosse to the west, east and south. Excavations in the centre of the interior revealed a possible round hut (LI041-013019-) with entrance at NW and a hearth (II) with a date of 1430±130 = A.D. 520. A Man-made underground passage was revealed in the S abutting the inside of the bank, orientated NNW-SSE (int. L. 9m, H. at S 1.6-1.8m; at N 0.5m). A hearth (III) was revealed during excavation in the S of the Man-made underground passage contained finds of a iron leather-scorer, animal bones and bone combs. Radiocarbon dates from postholes at the entrance of the Man-made underground passage dated to 1430±130 = AD 520 and 1260±120 = AD 690. Two skeletons (LI041-013021-) were revealed to the NE of the Man-made underground passage, orientated NNE-SSW, both had an iron knife blade to the right of the skulls'. Ringfort clearly visible on Digital Globe orthoimage taken between 2011-13 and on Google Earth orthoimages. See attached plan of ringfort and photographs of Man-made underground passage taken from Stenberger (1966), and Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 August 2021

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.