Souterrain in An Gabhlán Thoir

This souterrain is situated on a gentle SE facing slope in an area of rough pasture at the foot of the central mountain range overlooking the valley of the Owenalondrig River to S. It is roughly L-shaped in plan and consists of a single D-shaped chamber aligned N-S, and a now inaccessible passage, aligned E-W and linked to the N end of the chamber by a short creepway. At present, access is gained through a break, .5m high and .7m wide, in the upper portion of the wall at the SE corner of the chamber. As well as partly blocking this end of the chamber, the debris have also been piled up on top of the souterrain outside indicating deliberate excavation at some time. The chamber, roofed by 3 slabs, measures 2.45m long N-S, 1.3m wide and a maximum of 1.5m high. The upper 2 to 3 courses of the continuous, drystone-built walls utilise slightly larger slabs more haphazardly-laid than in the lower portion; these are corbelled inwards reducing the chamber width at roof level to c. 0.9m. At the N end of the straight E wall, the narrow creepway, .55m long, .42m high and splaying from .58 to .35m in width, leads onto the W end wall of the passage. The creepway is defined on either side by a single upright slab and is roofed by a single lintel. The passage is at least 4m long E-W and the walls are constructed of upright slabs or slabs on edge overlain by drystone walling. The E end of the passage is obscured by an accumulation of fill which extends along the passage towards the creepway, and consequently the floor of the passage slopes upwards towards the E end. A small hole is visible in the roof at this latter point, but it is not clear whether this marks the location of the original entrance or whether the passage continues further E beyond this. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 772. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013