Cave — Thomastown (ardee By., Philipstown Par.)

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 Situated on the summit of a large drumlin, called 'Tullaquillen'. The present entrance to the souterrain is at the junction of two passages which meet at right angles. Passage 1 (L 7.4m, Wth 0.8m, H 0.7m) extends SE-NW and is blocked by collapse at the SE. At the NW end of the passage a drop-hole gives access to a second passage (L 14m, Wth 1m, H 1.2m) also orientated SE-NW. This passage terminates in a gallery (L 4.5m, Wth 2.2m, H 2m) aligned E-W. At the present entrance a drop-hole gives access to an upper passage (L 3.2m, Wth 0.9m, H 1m) aligned NE-SW. At the SW end of the upper passage a drop hole gives access to a sub-rectangular chamber (L 4m, Wth 1.5m, H 1.5m) orientated NW-SE at the lower level. In the NE corner of the gallery, a drain at floor level extends to the N. The souterrain was partly flooded at the time of survey, and this drain can be seen as an attempt to combat this problem. (CLAJ 1979, 213-15)