What is recorded here

Dry-stone chambers hidden beneath Rosnaree House waited for discovery until repairs around 1800 broke through the floor. Workmen found several apartments built without cement, ancient in method though never dated, then closed the opening before measuring their full reach. The passage still keeps its distance, pressing against the foundation like a forgotten room refusing to be remembered.

In 1822 a visitor to Rosnaree House recorded that ‘about the year 1800, on making some repairs in a part of the house, the workmen discovered a subterranean building, consisting of several apartments, constructed of stones without cement, which appears to have been the most ancient mode of building with such materials. The extent of these repositories has not been determined, as the place was imperfectly explored, and has since been closed up’ (Reid 1823, 8). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 10 July 2007

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.