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Rath
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The Rath of Borrismore.
I have lately put men to work at the Rath of Borrismore, within a mile of Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny, which was traditionally said to have caves or underground passages, the covering flag of the roof of one being barely visible. I have found and fully cleared out three splendid chambers: first chamber is 10 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. wide, and 6 ft. 2in. high; second chamber is 11 ft. long, and varies in width from 5 ft. 1 in. to 5 ft. 10in. , height of roof 6 ft. 2 in. to 3 ft. The doors are about 2 ft. 6 in. high, and 16 in. wide. The one from first room to second room is of inclined jambs: the others mostly the one width above and below. The third chamber is 11 ft. 4 in. x 7 ft., and has a door on its north side, but there does not appear to be any chamber or passage to which it gave entrance. They must have intended to construct others at a future time. The chambers follow each other in a direct line, and the opening was in the centre of the rath. They are built of limestone and gritstone, but no indication of mortar of any kind being used. Within a hundred yards of the rath are two quarries, one of limestone, and the other of a whitish gritstone, such as is used in the building of these chambers. I will publish a full account and dimensions of them shortly. They were all firmly packed with sand and stones as if to effectively close them from being haunts of robbers. About eighty years ago, Kilkenny men when digging for gold, broke in the roof of the third chamber. Its floor is 14 feet below the surface, and I have made a rude staircase for visitors to ascend and descend who would not care to travel on hands and feet through the doorways. – W. Healy, P.P., Hon. Provincial Secretary for Leinster.
The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Ser. 5, Vol. 1, pt. 2, p. 490, 1891
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Posted by ryaner
17th June 2013ce
Edited 17th June 2013ce
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