Souterrain in Garryduff (newcastle Par.)

On a NW-facing slope in upland, undulating terrain, in rough pasture. A stream runs N-S 8m W of the souterrain. A ringfort (TS088-083----) is located 7m SE of the S end of the souterrain. There is also a souterrain (TS088-068---) 260m to the NW in the neighbouring townland of Boolahallagh. A souterrain, running N-S, constructed of cream-coloured sandstone drystone-walling with five lintels. The N end of the passage (L 2.85m; Wth 1.3m E-W; H 1.13m) terminates in a curving wall. A the S end there is evidence of collapse suggesting that the souterrain continued southward, this is supported by the evidence above ground, where there is a raised area (H above ext. to W 0.45m) over the passage which runs southward (total L 12.5m) and possibly terminates 7m from the base of scarp of an adjacent ringfort. The souterrain was discovered when a lintel at the N end of the passage broke under the weight of a tractor. There are a lot of loose stones in the interior. The drystone-walling is composed of mainly small stones (average dims. 0.1m x 0.2m) interspersed with some larger stones. The lintels are fairly rectangular (average Wth 0.35; S lintel Wth of 0.6m broadening out to 0.75m to the W; D 0.2-0.3m) and are covered by a 0.25m depth of soil. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 13 July 2015