Donaghmore Souterrain
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Donaghmore Souterrain is a souterrain and National Monument located in County Louth, Ireland.[1][2]
County Louth, Ireland
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 | 54.002939°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 |
Location
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.[6] 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).[7][8] It is largely dug into boulder clay but also into Silurian grit.[9][10]