Souterrain in Socks

Situated at the S end of a low NE-SW ridge in the Bonet River valley. It was discovered in 1979 when a mechanical digger removed a lintel from the central of three passages, and it was recorded by K. Campbell for the National Museum of Ireland (total L c. 27m). The original entrance was not uncovered but it was at the E end of an E-W passage (L 8m; Wth 1.1m; H 1.5m) with vertical drystone-built walls and corbelling, which was roofed by ten lintels. A drain (L 2m plus; Wth 0.2m) led S from its SW corner, while a doorway (Wth 0.5-0.6m; H 0.5m; D 0.55m) at the W end of the N wall led to a NW-SE passage (L 8.8m; Wth 0.9m at S to 1.2m at N; H 1.6m) with drystone-built walls and corbelling, which is roofed by ten lintels. From the N end of this passage a creep (L 2.3m; Wth 0.3-0.5m; H 0.7m) with six lintels leads W to the approximate centre of a N-S passage which has probably been deliberately filled in at the S end (L 8.4m plus; max. Wth 1.6m; H 1.3m plus). The walls are drystone-built with little corbelling and it is roofed by at least eight lintels. Opposite the creep there is a chamber or annexe in the W wall (L 1.1m E-W; Wth 0.75-1m; H 0.75-0.85m) with a drain (L 2m plus; Wth 0.4m; H 0.14m plus) leading W from it. A constricting doorway (Wth 0.55m; H 0.6m) leads to this chamber, while in the wall above the doorway is an airvent (Wth 0.32m; H 0.16m; present L 1.4m). The souterrain is now closed. (NMI file) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Leitrim' compiled by Michael J. Moore (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2003). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 September 2008