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Donaghmore Souterrain
Uaimh Thalún an Domhnaigh Mhóir
Donaghmore Souterrain.jpg
Chart of the souterrain, from Thomas Wright's Louthiana
Donaghmore Souterrain is located in Ireland
Donaghmore Souterrain
Location in 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; -6.459380
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.

Location

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

History

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

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 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). It is largely dug into boulder clay but also into Silurian grit.

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