Souterrain in Raheen (garrangibbon Par.)

On quite steep E-facing slope in undulating terrain, under pasture. Ringfort (TS078-030001-) known locally as 'The Raheen' was said to have been ploughed out about a hundred years ago (Prendergast 1972, NMI). Souterrain in NW quadrant, the entrance is marked by a mound of stones (dims. c. 4m x 2m)on top of the bank, with capstone at ESE end, probably above Chamber 3 of the souterrain. The souterrain was discovered in 1972 and was investigated by Ellen Prendergast for the National Museum of Ireland. According to Prendergast (NMI files) the souterrain is located close to the most easterly edge of the ringfort. It consisted of 'three chambers linked by two narrow passages, orientated East-West. It was excavated into the earth and stone-lined throughout' (ibid.). Chamber 1, oval in plan (max. Wth 1.5m; max. H 1.1m) measured 1m in length including its portal passage at its W end. It was lined with vertical flagstones up to max. H of 0.65m with a corbelled roof of small flagstones and boulders. At W end of Chamber 1 there was a well-constructed portal passage (dims. 0.6m H x 0.45m Wth x 0.65m L) formed of two upright slabs surmounted by a large lintel and partially blocked by a horizontal sill stone. This gave access to Chamber 2. This was pear-shaped in plan (dims. 2.4m L x 0.85m max. Wth; 1.35m H) stone lined with lintelled roof. At SW end a long, narrow, sloping curved passage retained by drystone walling and lintelled roof, led to Chamber 3. This, the largest chamber, is oval in plan (dims. 5m L x 2.1m max. Wth, 1.55m H) and constructed with upright slabs, corbelling and lintelled roof. At the NW angle there is a blocked portal extending NW which may lead to another chamber or the orginal entrance (ibid.). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011