Sweathouse in Castlewaller

Built into a W-facing slope, in upland terrain under coniferous forestry. It is on the western slopes of a mountain S of Keeper Hill, with a mountain stream (Wth 1.5m; dry at time of visit) running downslope to W, immediately N of the sweathouse. The stream broadens out and deepens to the W where it probably served as a plunge pool. There is another sweathouse (TN032-010----) in Boolatin townland, 3km to the NW on the SW slopes of Keeper Hill. A well-built chamber (int. dims. 2.2m N-S; 1.55m E-W; max. int. H 1.52m; H above ext. 0.5-0.95m from E to W) constructed of sandstone walling, possibly drystone originally but clay has filtered down between the stones. The stones have quartz pebble inclusions. The rear of the chamber is rounded, the boulders gradually corbelling out to form a roof, though this has largely collapsed. Only one roof lintel (Wth 1.2m; min. D 0.5m; T 0.22m) survives at the rear of the chamber. Roughly hewn blocks form the jamb stones for an entrance (Wth 0.5m; D 0.6m) to the N which opens onto the mountain stream. Only the lower courses on either side survives. The side walling of the structure continues northward for 0.8m beyond the jambs, sloping towards the exterior. Traditionally known as a sweathouse and identified as such by Jack Ryan. See attached photographs: TN031-097----_01 From NW TN031-097----_02 From N TN031-097----_03 From E TN031-097----_04 Interior of chamber from N TN031-097----_05 Overview of interior from W Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 12 October 2022