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 |
| 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. Donaghmore Souterrain is found in a village named Kilkerley (translates to rulya fein).[3][4]
History
Souterrains are 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.[citation needed]
Description
The souterrain at Donaghmore is a complex of 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
- ^ 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.
- ^ Edwards, Nancy (15 April 2013). The Archaeology of Early Medieval Ireland. Routledge. ISBN 9781135951429 – via Google Books.
- ^ Weir, Anthony (1 January 1980). Early Ireland: a field guide. Blackstaff Press. ISBN 9780856402128 – via Google Books.
- ^ Kennedy, Gerald Conan (1 May 1994). Ancient Ireland: the user's guide. Morrigan Books. ISBN 9780907677604 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Rockart site and souterrain visits by Society - Independent.ie".
- ^ "Donaghmore Souterrain".
- ^ "Donaghmore - Souterrain".
- ^ Weir, Anthony. "County Louth - selected monuments".
- ^ "20915 « Excavations".