Souterrain in Donaghmore

Discovered during building construction. The souterrain consists of a passage (L 17.2m, Wth 1m, H 0.9m-1.5m) running N-S, with the original entrance at the N end. At the S end of the first passage is a second passage (L 14.6m, Wth 1.1m, H 1.2m) running SW. A third passage (L 6.7m, Wth 0.9m, H 1.2m) runs SE from the SW end of the second passage. A drop-hole formed by a gap in the lintels, 2.7m from the SE end of the third passage gives access to a fourth passage (L 3.9m, Wth 0.9m, H 1.4m) extending SW at an upper level. At the SW end of the fourth passage is a second drophole giving access to a fifth passage (L 19.7m, Wth 0.8m-1m, H 1.2m) extending SW at the lower level and terminating in the middle of the NE side of a gallery (L 10.7m, Wth 1.7m, H 1.7m) aligned NW-SE. (CLAJ 1959, 148-53) This is a national monument in the guardianship of the State (No. 526), but it is closed to the public for the foreseeable future, because of damaged lintels (Dundalk Democrat 11/04/2017). The above description is derived from both the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986) and the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 12 April 2017