Not idicated — Gorteen (fartullagh By.)

Situated on low rise of ground in rocky undulating grassland with ringfort (WM026-030----) 290m to WNW. Remains of a souterrain visible in N quadrant of ringfort (WM026-031----). Remains consist of a rectangular passage aligned E-W formed by lintels supported on drystone side walls which is open at E end, possible that passage of souterrain turns S at W end and follows line of enclosing bank of ringfort along W side. Souterrain described in 1898 as following; 'The Rath of Gurteen [WM026-031----] is situated upon the property of Lord Congleton, within four miles of Mullingar, in the parish of Moyliscar, and about 500 yards from the Roman Catholic church of Gainstown. The entrance to the souterrain is in the inner enclosure of the rath, and the passages and chambers are all contained, with the exception of the actual entrance, within the thickness of the vallum (sketch plan, A, B, C, and D). The entrance to the souterrain consists of a very strongly constructed doorway formed of jambs of large rough stones surmounted by a cyclopean lintel. The portion of the passage leading from is covered by a mound of earth, but this, as well as the vallum itself, has in the course of ages lost much of its original height. The entrance faces the east; and the passage, which is 3 feet [0.9m] by 3 feet [0.9m], runs in a straight direction for a distance of 17 feet [5.2m], during which it dips about one foot [0.3m]: here there is a step down of 10 inches, and at the same time an elevation in the roof giving a clear height of 5 feet 10 inches [1.77m] - probably 6 feet [1.8m] originally. At this point the passage takes a direction at right angles for a distance of 8 feet [2.4m], at the further end of which, and midway between floor and roof, there is a large flat stone, roughly about 9 inches thick, forming a shelf 3 feet [0.9m] long, i.e. from side to side of the passage and 3 feet [0.9m] wide. The opening upon the right represents the outer passage 17 feet [5.2m] from the entrance. Underneath the stone shell is seen the entrance to a passage 2½ feet [0.75m] by 2½ feet [0.75m]. The sides and roof are composed of very large and rough unhewn stones. This passage trends slightly to the right, and dips about 10 inches [0.25m] in its length of 9 feet [2.7m] when it leads to No. 1 chamber of beehive shape built of rough stones and closed at the apex by a large, roughly circular flag, evidently about 3 feet [0.9m] in diameter. This chamber is 7 feet [2.1m] high with a diameter of 9 feet [2.7m] at base. The doorway is formed of very large rough stones, but the chamber itself, except in the lowest course, is microlithic. Returning to what we shall call the ante-chamber:-The entrance to the second passage is placed above the stone shelf to the left. This entrance is 3 feet [0.9m] wide by 24 feet [7.3m] high, but unfortunately the upper flag-stone or lintel is broken in two at this point, and the passage is rather blocked; there is, however, sufficient room for a person of average size to creep through. This, I may mention, is the only failure in this ancient building, as from the outer entrance throughout all the ramifications of the souterrain the stones are evidently in their original positions. This passage narrows to 2½ feet [0.75m] wide within a few feet of the entrance, and running in a westerly direction for 12 feet [3.65m], on the left side we come to an offset passage at right angles 20 inches [0.5m] by 20 inches [0.5m], and 5 feet [1.5m] long, leading to No. 2 chamber, also of beehive form, and 6 feet [1.8m] high by 6 feet [1.8m] diameter at base. Passing this entrance, the main passage, dipping gradually, curves away to the left, until for the last 20 feet [6m] or so of its length it runs almost north and south. The total length of this passage is 46 feet [14m]. The walls and roof are formed of large rough stones; the floor is of very hard clay with rocks frequently appearing, and in its entire length it dips about 18 inches [0.45m]. No. 3 chamber, which is the largest, lies at the end of this passage. It is 7½ feet high from floor to apex, and 10½ feet [2.2m] diameter at base. The apex is closed by two large flags with other stones overlying them' (Falkiner 1898, 211-14). See attached drawings and plan of souterrain taken from Falkiner 1898-1900. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 29 August 2018