Souterrains

Main publication: Mark Clinton, The souterrains of Ireland.
INTRODUCTION
Souterrains are underground passages
They are usually built of stone but can also be tunnelled into rock or compact clay or gravel.
Souterrains are sometimes found apparently independent of any enclosure and are also found in Early Christian ecclesiastical enclosures.
Places of refuge
Places for storage
Distribution
It had been suggested that two factors influenced the distribution of souterrains:
The prevailing soil type
The prevailing geology
The local distributions do not reflect ‘political’ units
Some features (e.g. trapdoors) are found in particular areas and suggest local building ‘schools’
Donaghmore, Co. Louth
Donaghmore, Co. Louth
Donaghmore, Co. Louth
Newrath BigKellsCo. Meath
Coolcran,Co. FermanaghWooden souterrainoaks found that were dated to 822+/-9 AD
Tateetra, County Louth
Tateetra, showing cross-inscribed slab (see www.aegisarchaeology.com)
Newtownbalregan, County LouthRingfort and Souterrain (from www.nra.ie)
Newtownbalregan, County Louth
Newtownbalregan, County Louth
Roof slab – re-used from elsewhere – is covered in megalithic art.
Carn More, County Louth(from www.nra.ie)
Dunisky, Co. CorkRock-cut souterrain
Entrance TypesRamp
Entrance TypesPit-drop
Entrance TypesShaft
Entrance TypesStepped
Entrance TypesHatch
Passage and constrictions
Passages either unrestricted or restricted.
Unrestricted passage have no additions to impede access or movement.
Restricted passages can contain various features to make movement difficult such as:
An extremely narrow section of passage
A reduced roof height (e.g. a crawl space)
Porthole Slabs

Porthole Slabs(Smerwick, Co. Kerry)
Armoy,Co. Antrim
Chambers
Chambers can be various shapes:
Elliptical
Circular
Rectangular
Oblong (where the passage merely widens)
Undifferentiated (where there is no distinction between the passage and the chamber)
Donaghmore, Co. Louth
Rectangular chamber
Drumadoon, Co. Antrim
Oblong chamber
Trapdoors
Deliberate obstruction placed in passage or chamber
May include covering devices
Other features
Steps and stepped features (such as sudden drops)
Air vents and drains
Cobblestone and paving
Internal (wooden) doors
Cupboards and cubbyholes such as the one below from Guilford in Westmeath
Dating
Earliest dates are from 7th or 8th century AD
Latest dates are from the 13th or 14th century AD (such as finds of medieval pottery from construction material).
Drumadoon, Co. Antrim
Drumadoon, Co. Antrim