Poultalloon — Poultalloon

Natural cave with no evidence of any archaeological activity within this cave (pers. comm. Dr. Marion Dowd; Dowd 2015, 57). Although there is no recorded archaeological activity inside the fact that it has not been investigated thoroughly in modern times may suggest that it still could has some archaeological potential. Not depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Annotated 'Poultalloon' (An Poll Talún) meaning 'hole in the ground' (OSNB Fedamore Parish; www.logainm.ie) in Gothic script on the 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map. The Ordnance Survey Field Name Books gave the following account about this placename; 'There is a hole in this townland known by the above name, the different branches of which have not been explored. It is from this hole that the townland takes its name. There is a cave here, called Poulthalloon. Its entrance is about 3 feet [0.9m] by 2 feet [0.6m], and it is divided into different apartments from 10 [3m] to 15 feet [4.5m] wide and 4 feet [1.2m] high' (OSNB Fedamore Parish, 697). Described by O'Kelly (1942-3, 230) as 'a natural cave in limestone rock. It is in the form of a long passage and is so low inside that at no point can one stand upright in it. It is called Poultalloon and the townland is said to take its name from it'. Visited by the ASI and described as no surface remains visible of cave which has been filled in with rocks and earth. Situated in rocky pasture on S facing slope of ridge running E-W with good views from ESW-W. Compiled by: Paul Walsh Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 21 September 2020