Souterrain in Benagh

The following 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 upload/revision: 17 July 2007 Discovered during the course of land reclamation in 1985. This work involved the removal of an inland promontory fort (LH008-051001-) at which there was tradition of a souterrain (Buckley 1986a, 38). Bulldozing and grading of the area displaced a capstone of one of the beehive chambers in the souterrain. Present access to the site is via the gap left by the displaced capstone. The souterrain consists of a series of passages and chambers roughly aligned NW-SE, with a beehive chamber (diam. 2.5m, H 1.6m) at its NW end with a passage leading off SE. Between the passage and the beehive chamber is a constriction (L 0.7m, Wth 0.7m, H 1m) also aligned NW-SE. Passage 1 (L 6.5m, Wth 0.9m, H 1.2m) continues SE and ends in a second constriction (L 1m, Wth 0.6m, H 0.6m). This widens out to form passage 2 (L 6.5m, Wth 0.9m, H 1.2m) which continues on to the SE. In the middle of the N wall of Passage 2 is a creep giving access to Passage 3 which leads to the NNE. Passage 3 (L 3.5m, Wth 1m, H 1m) is blocked by collapse at the NNE and is probably close to the position of the original entrance. At a point 1.5m from the SE end of Passage 2 is a drop-hole creep (dims.0.5m x 0.6m, D 0.75m) which gives access to Passage 4 at a lower level. Passage 4 (L 6m, Wth 0.7m, H 1m) extends WNW-ESE and terminates in a second beehive chamber (diam. 2.1m, H 1.7m). At floor level in the SE quadrant of this chamber is a stone-lined drain which extends SE for 3.5m then curves out of sight. At this point the souterrain is at the level of the two small streams which meet below the promontory fort, and thus the need for an effective drain. The souterrain was drystone-built throughout. The construction trench (Wth 2m) of the souterrain was noted in 1985, giving an outline of the direction of the souterrain visible as hard-packed greysoil and rubble against the surrounding yellow boulder clay. Several sherds of souterrain ware were found in its fill. This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 8/1985). See the attached view of the entrance.