Donaghmore Souterrain

Donaghmore Souterrain
Uaimh Thalún an Domhnaigh Mhóir

Chart of the souterrain, from Thomas Wright's Louthiana
Shown within Ireland
Location Donaghmore Kilcurly, Dundalk,
County Louth, Ireland
Region Castletown River Valley
Coordinates 54°00′11″N 6°27′34″W / 54.002939°N 6.459380°W / 54.002939; -6.459380Coordinates: 54°00′11″N 6°27′34″W / 54.002939°N 6.459380°W / 54.002939; -6.459380
Type souterrain
History
Material stone
Founded between AD 700 and 1200
Cultures Gaelic Ireland
Site notes
Archaeologists Etienne Ryan
Condition excellent
Ownership private
Public access yes
Official name Donaghmore Souterrain
Reference no. 526

Donaghmore Souterrain is a souterrain and National Monument located in County Louth, Ireland.[1][2]

Location

Donaghmore Souterrain is located 3.6 km (2.2 mi) west of Dundalk, near a cluster of houses.[3][4]

History

Souterrains are underground cave-like structures built as places of refuge and storage, and in Ireland they date between the 8th and 12th centuries. [5]

The souterrain was discovered in 1960 during the construction of a Louth County Council cottage. It was excavated by Etienne Rynne who found trenches, a pit, two post-holes. sherds of souterrain ware, a bronze pin, a whetstone and iron slag.

Description

The souterrain at Donaghmore is a complex of underground tunnels lined with dry stone walls, floors and ceilings, with corbels and lintels. The ceilings are over 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in height and the total length of tunnel is 80 m (260 ft).[6][7] It is largely dug into boulder clay but also into Silurian grit.[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ Rynne, Etienne (1 January 1959). "Souterrain at Donaghmore, Co. Louth". Journal of the County Louth Archaeological Society. 14 (3): 148–153. doi:10.2307/27728970. JSTOR 27728970.
  2. ↑ Edwards, Nancy (15 April 2013). "The Archaeology of Early Medieval Ireland". Routledge – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ Weir, Anthony (1 January 1980). "Early Ireland: a field guide". Blackstaff Press – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Kennedy, Gerald Conan (1 May 1994). "Ancient Ireland: the user's guide". Morrigan Books – via Google Books.
  5. ↑ "Rockart site and souterrain visits by Society - Independent.ie".
  6. ↑ "Donaghmore Souterrain".
  7. ↑ "Donaghmore - Souterrain".
  8. ↑ Weir, Anthony. "County Louth - selected monuments".
  9. ↑ "20915 « Excavations".
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