What is recorded here

Four rectangular stone galleries cross like a hidden plus sign beneath the south half of the Rath ringfort, their sharp corners joined by narrow doorways and heavy capstones. The passage has waited since at least the mid-19th century for people to climb through a hole in the bank, yet its purpose still evades them. McCarthy and Power pried it open in the 1970s and 1980s, finding chip-filled floors and a collapsed opening that may have once breathed toward the sky.

In S half of ringfort (CO067-00102-). Investigated by J.P. McCarthy (1977, 303-6) in 1977 and Power (1987, 17) in 1985 though known since mid-19th century. Four rectangular stone-built galleries all at right angles to each other; roofed by large capstones. Gallery 1 (L 4m; max. Wth 0.98m; H 1.15) long axis N-S; present entrance at S end. Other galleries of similar dimensions. 'Doorways' (max. dims. H 1.06m; Wth 0.75m) flanked by orthostats connect galleries; orthostats support capstones except in doorway from gallery 3-4 where they suport lintel just below capstone. Construction shaft partly exposed in gallery 2. Opening to surface at W end of gallery 4 may be due to collapse. McCarthy suggests that fill of stone chips on floor may be original feature. Deep hole inside bank still allows access to Man-made underground passage; mound of spoil on W side of hole also noted by McCarthy is the result of previous investigations. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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