Hut site in Cahermackirilla

At the W edge of a plateau, on a gentle S-facing slope in rough pasture, within a large multiperiod field system (CL009-084001-). This irregular hut site (int. dims. 7m N-S; max. 5.6m E-W) has straight S and W sides and a curving NE side. It is defined by a double-faced wall (Wth 0.7-0.8m), only one course of which survives. There is a gap (Wth 1m) near the N end of the W wall, which may be an entrance. A sunken passage (total L 3.75; Wth 0.8-0.9m; max. D 0.45m) runs from the interior of the hut (L 1.05m) through the gap, towards the N end of the W wall, and continues a short distance (L 2.3m) to its W before going underground and inaccessible. Most of the passage is exposed but three roof lintels are visible, two inside the hut and one immediately outside it. The most easterly lintel inside is in situ and the back wall of the passage is visible 0.4m to its E. The second lintel has collapsed into the passage through the gap in the wall. The third or most westerly lintel is immediately outside the gap and is also in situ. Considering how narrow and apparently shallow this feature is, it is probably the remains of a drain. A house (CL009-084029-) lies c. 18m to the SSW, an enclosure (CL009-084014-) c. 66m to the WSW and there is a cashel (CL009-084016-) c. 28.5m to the NE. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 12 May 2022