Souterrain in Ballina

In pasture, on a N-facing slope overlooking a stream valley. This souterrain was discovered in 1999 when the ground collapsed. It consists of five earth-cut chambers and an annexe. The collapse (diam. 1m) allowed access through the roof at the SSW end of chamber 1. This chamber (2.8m NNE-SSW; 1m NNW-SSE; H 0.8m) is roughly oval in shape with a slightly pointed roof. At the SSW end is a blocked-up construction shaft (Wth 0.6m) and immediately to the E of this is an opening (Wth 0.6m; H 0.54m) into a small annexe (1.2m N-S; 1m E-W; H 0.7m) with a possible air-vent in its SE corner. Much of the SSW end of the chamber is occupied by the collapsed earth and stones from the roof collapse. At the NNE end of chamber 1 is a creepway (L 0.2m; Wth 0.5m; H 0.54m) into chamber 2. This chamber (2.7m NW-SE; min. Wth 0.85m; H 0.85m) has a rounded roof and is roughly rectangular in plan but its NW end bulges out into an oval shape (Wth 1.3m) and contains a blocked-up construction shaft (Wth 0.7m; H 0.8m). At its SE end is another blocked-up construction shaft (Wth 0.8m; H 0.6m), c. 0.3m above the floor of the chamber. There is a creepway (L 0.36m; Wth 0.5m; H 0.4m) in its SW wall which gives access to Chamber 3. This chamber (2.75m E-W; 1.17m N-S; H 0.87m) is roughly rectangular and has a rounded roof. Its floor is at a slightly lower level than that of chamber 2. A blocked-up construction shaft (Wth 1.1m) is visible towards the centre of its N wall. It is raised above the floor level and set back from the chamber wall. This is probably the same construction shaft that is visible at the NW end of chamber 2. At the W end of the chamber is a creepway (L 0.56m; Wth 0.6m; H 0.43m) into chamber 4. This chamber (2.5m N-S; 1.27m E-W) has a straight N end and a curved S end. At the N end of the W side is a blocked-up construction shaft (Wth 0.8m; H 0.35m). The NW corner of the chamber is strewn with stones. A creepway (L 0.55m; Wth 0.36m; H 0.4m) in the centre of the W wall leads into chamber 5. This chamber (dims of main section: 2.13m NW-SE; 1.18m NE-SW; H 0.8m) is irregular in plan. A blocked-up construction shaft (Wth 0.85m) is visible in the NE side of the chamber. The NW end of the main section of chamber 5 constricts (Wth 0.89m; H 0.56) and slopes up into a curving extension (1.66m E-W; 1.13m N-S; H 0.66m) with a blocked-up construction shaft (Wth 1.1m; H 0.58m) at its W end. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009