What is recorded here

No map shows the hole, but in 1966 a quarry on Madden’s Hill broke through to a narrow passage and beehive chamber hidden inside an old rath. The chamber is barely tall enough for a crouching person, yet its smooth walls and small size suggest it was made for deliberate entry, not accidental collapse. Human bones and a furnace bottom appeared beside it, implying the dark room served both memory and fire.

Situated on a hillock known as ‘Madden’s Hill’ which is part of an E-W esker. No feature is depicted on any OS map but in 1966 human remains and a furnace bottom came to light in a quarry, and excavation identified the base of a passage (L 1.3m; Wth 0.55-0.75m; max. H 0.6m) and the beehive chamber (int. diam. 1.5-1.7m; max. H 0.6m) of a Man-made underground passage built into the silted fosse of rath (ME037-025----) at E. (Rynne 1974, 268-70) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 21 August 2019

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