Souterrain in Loughan

Situated in a low rise, beside a modern farmyard, in pasture, c. 170m to ESE of Loughazon Hall (formerly Mount Dalton House). Souterrain described in 1980 as consisting of a roughly rectangular-shaped chamber (dims. 4.5m E-W; 1.9m N-S; H 1.4-2m) running roughly E-W, with a smaller chamber (dims. 1.5 x 1.1m; H 1.3m) off it to N, at the E end. The walls of the main chamber are of drystone construction with large boulders forming the basal course and smaller stones/boulders above. There is some slight irregular corbelling between the upper courses and the roof. The roof is composed of stone lintels formed by large slabs laid on the top of the walls. The ends of the main chamber at E and W, are slight rounded. The present entrance is via a slump into the main chamber toward the E end, where a single lintel has been removed. Some earth and stones obscure part of the larger chamber, directly underneath the gap left by the removed lintel. A small amount of charcoal and burnt soil were found on top of this collapsed material which corresponds to traces of burnt soil above. Some animal bones of unknown date are lying on the floor of the larger chamber. A low, lintelled creepway provides access into a smaller chamber which is subrectangular-shaped and quite irregular. It is of a similar drystone construction to the main chamber and has stone roofing lintels. There is a slight recess in the NW corner where soil is visible and a large slab is below it, possibly representing the original entrance. In general, there is a build-up of soil obscuring the smaller chamber, which seems to have fallen from above. According to local information, the souterrain was uncovered whilst excavating a foundation trench for a wall, whereby a low scarp was cut into the side of a low rise at this location. There is a substantial new farm shed to the immediate N and a large silage clamp to W of the souterrain. According to local information, a substantial amount of earthen material had been pushed across the area during construction of the silage clamp and shed. Consequently the ground above the souterrain has been extensively disturbed and there is no sign of any surface features. Monument is at the edge of a modern farmyard complex. Compiled by: Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 11 February 2019