Souterrain in Rathfran

In a graveyard (MA015-031002-), located at the break of slope on the NW slope of the hillock which the graveyard encompasses. According to local information, this souterrain was uncovered during grave-digging in the second half of the 20th century, but its exact location was not recorded at that time (Bradley and Dunne 1989, 46). In 2018, ground subsidence exposed the souterrain again. The surface opening (0.6m E−W; 0.4m N−S) was too narrow and unstable to allow access to the souterrain, however, two in situ roof lintels were visible at a depth of c. 1m below ground surface, covering a chamber; one lintel with a long axis aligned roughly NW-SE, the other set perpendicular to the E end of the former, and slightly higher than it. A third large stone, tipping downwards into the cavity from its N side, may be a displaced lintel. A portion of the chamber wall was also visible, consisting of seven courses of corbelled, dry-stone walling, aligned NNE−SSW (Zajac 2019, 7). In February 2019 archaeologically-monitored remedial works were undertaken to preserve the souterrain and insure public safety: a concrete slab was laid down to seal the opening into the souterrain, and it was then covered with soil (Zajac 2019). Attached images: MA015-031004-_01.JPG surface opening viewed from E MA015-031004-_02.JPG in situ lintels visible in base of subsidence hole, viewed from W MA015-031004-_03.JPG in situ lintel visible in base of subsidence hole, viewed from E Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 8 April 2019