27 February 2006
ANCIENT HIDEAWAY WILL BE PROTECTED
Department of Environment (DOE) archaeologists will protect an ancient hideaway in Co Down.
A builder working on new housing at Rooneystown, near Raholp, had an unusual experience recently when the ground below his digger gave way exposing a mysterious stone tunnel. He realised that the well-built feature might be of historical interest and contacted the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS).
EHS archaeologist Ken Neill visited the site the next day and immediately confirmed that the 'tunnel' was actually a previously unrecorded example of a souterrain, built during the Early Christian period over 1000 years ago.
Mr Neill said: "Souterrains are usually known as caves or coves throughout the country side. They were underground tunnels built as a refuge against raiders. Some were rock-cut but most were built by digging a trench, lining it with drystone-walling and placing heavy stone lintels across the top before covering with earth. It was one of these lintels which had given way under the weight of the digger to expose the souterrain. Many were built within circular earthen raths or stone cashels, but others, like this one, are discovered in apparent isolation although there was almost certainly originally a house nearby. "
Their design and complexity supports the idea that they were built as hiding places, perhaps in fear of raids by neighbouring tribes or even the Vikings. Given enough warning, the owner could have got his family and portable valuables into the souterrain and been relatively secure until the threat was gone. Air-vents kept the chambers ventilated and it would have been a brave attacker who ventured into the dark and often constricted passage even if they discovered the entrance in the first place.
"The Rooneystown souterrain is an interesting example, mostly built with neat drystone-walling but in places its builders had cut through the bedrock which is still visible in the sides and floor. From the access point through the roof the souterrain extends for around 11m into the hillside, with several other chambers leading off from it. These are blocked with earth and stone making it impossible to assess the full extent of the monument and suggesting that it may have been discovered and partially infilled long ago.
"Although souterrains are found elsewhere on the western fringes of Britain and France, the vast majority are in Ireland. The Monuments and Buildings Record housed in our headquarters at Waterman House in Belfast has information on almost 1000 examples with over 100 in County Down but there are undoubtedly many more awaiting discovery. Most are found accidentally, often after a lintel is disturbed during ploughing.
Mr Neill stressed that care should be taken always after such a discovery. He added: "It is not advisable to enter any recently discovered souterrain without expert advice. Many have been damaged and become unstable through the centuries and often the displacement of a lintel which leads to discovery makes it even more dangerous. There are a few accessible monuments which we have stabilised to allow the visitor to share the experience of the original occupants, including Drumena Cashel just outside Castlewellan."
Further details available from Built Heritage, EHS, Waterman House, Hill St. Belfast www.ehsni.gov.uk
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