Interesting news from Co. Kerry, where an early medieval tunnel system/souterrain has been uncovered during construction works along the N71 road between Bonane and Glengarrif.
Located in Releagh townland, the previously unrecorded tunnel system is cut into the underlying boulder clay/bedrock and contains two internal chambers, which measure circa 4m wide.
Also known as souterrains, early medieval tunnels such as the Releagh example were most likely utilised as places of refuge during times of trouble. They may also have been used for storing valuables and perishable food stuffs, with the relatively low temperatures inside the tunnels helping to preserve the latter. The majority appear to date from between 750 and 1250 AD (Clinton 2001, p. 95) and they are often found in association with ringforts (there is no surviving evidence for a ringfort at Releagh).
The Releagh souterrain (KE102-133) is currently being recorded by archaeologists working for Kerry County Council (Michael Connolly) and the National Roads Authority (James Eogan) and it is hoped that further information on the tunnel’s form and function will be available shortly.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to James Eogan for informing me about this site and allowing me to use his images
References
Clinton, M. 2001 The Souterrains of Ireland. Wordwell Bray.
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I found a secret souterrain in glandore west cork. Its half a mile from the drombeg stone circle. I crawled inside it when I was 13 years old. I was the first person to enter in over a thousand years.. inside there we narrow tunnels that led to large chambers.. one tunnel entrance was blocked off with a perfect stone wall. I’m almost certain there is treasure down there. It would be an amazing excavation to be part of. I have been dreaming of it for over 20 years. There is something else down there