Souterrain in Lissanisky

In a rath (MA118-173----) Not shown on the 1838 OS 6-inch map; indicated on the 25-inch plan as a small circular feature named ‘Well’; indicated on the 1929 edition as a small circular feature. A surface depression (c. 2.4m E−W; c. 1.6m N−S; D c. 1.5m) reveals within its E side a lintelled opening to a subterranean drystone-built structure. The opening (Wth 1.46m; H 1.1m) gives access to a short passage/chamber (L c. 1.55m; Wth 1.45m; H c. 1m) with drystone wall, roofed with a row of three large flat slabs. The side walls are constructed of 5-6 courses of small to medium-sized stones, mostly laid horizontally. The top course is composed of larger stones which serve as corbels, projecting slightly to support the roof lintels. The interior space in infilled with soil slumping down from the E end. At the E end a large loose slab, possibly a displaced lintel, blocks a low gap just below the eastern-most lintel, more or less at ground surface level. This slab appears to have been placed here relatively recently to block up the E end of the structure. The side walls continue to W of the roofed area for c. 2m, forming the side of the depression/hole described above. They are largely obscured by vegetation and disappear into loose soil and overgrowth at the E end of the depression. At surface level, the whole is tightly encircled (diam. 3.8m E−W; 3.4 N−S) by a rough low wall (Wth 0.6m; H 0.4m), merely a loose pile of large stones, designed to highlight the location of the feature and keep farm stock out. According to the landowner, water naturally accumulates in the base at times, particularly in winter or wet periods. Marked on the 25-inch plan as a well, it is possible that this structure is a ruined souterrain repurposed as a well. Attached images: MA118-173002-_01.JPG Viewed from W, showing encircling 'wall' at ground surface. MA118-173002-_02.JPG Interior viewed from W MA118-173002-_03.JPG Interior side wall viewed from W Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 27 May 2022