Souterrain in Bawnatemple

In the SW quadrant of an early ecclesiastical enclosure (CO071-108001-). This souterrain was discovered during silage cutting in May 1999 when the ground collapsed. An opening (0.85m x 0.7m) resulting from the collapse allowed access to a small oval earth-cut chamber (1.72m NW-SE; 1.15m NE-SW). The roof of this chamber is 0.6m below present ground level. At SSW, a creepway (Wth c. 0.5m; L 0.6m) leads to a blocked-up construction shaft (H 0.28m) with three courses of stones visible. Another short creepway or opening (Wth 0.86m; L 0.45m) leads from the N side of the chamber to a passage (L 2m; Wth 0.8m). Extending to the SSE from the passage is a shaft which tapers upwards and which is likely to be an air-vent. At the W end of the passage is another creepway (L 0.8m; Wth 0.65m; H c. 0.4m) leading to a large oval chamber (3.5m NE-SW; 1.65m NW-SE; H 0.87m) the base of which is cut into bedrock. There is a blocked-up construction shaft (Wth 0.6m; H 0.65m) at SSW. A small oval creepway (L 0.3m) leads to the WSW into a small annexe (1.64m SSE-NNW; H 0.55m) filled with collapsed material. Another souterrain (CO071-108006-), which is probably stone-built, is indicated on the 1938 OS 6-inch map c. 70m to the E. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009