Man-made underground passage in Chanonrock

The following description is derived from both the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986) and the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007 Drystone-built Man-made underground passage situated in interior of an oval enclosure (LH011-003001-) showing on aerial photograph (CUCAP, ALU 18). The Man-made underground passage consists of a passage (L 4.1m, Wth 0.8m, H 1m) aligned N-S, with a drop-hole at the S end giving access to a second passage (L 4m, Wth 1m, H 1.1m) continuing S and terminating in the middle of the N side of a gallery (L 6.8m, Wth 1.5m, H1.6m) running E-W. At the end of the first passage a drop-hole gives access to a third passage (L 9.3m, Wth 0.8-1.1m, H 1.1m) running E-W and expanding at the W end to form a fourth passage (L 5.2m, Wth 2.3m, H 1.5m). At the W end the fourth passage turns sharply N, then is blocked by collapse. A second gallery (L 4m, Wth 1.1-2m, H 1.7m) extends S from the middle of the S side of the fourth passage. (CLAJ 1955, 288; CLAJ 1956, 441-4)