| Donaghmore Souterrain | |
| Native Name: | Uaimh Thalún an Domhnaigh Mhóir |
| Native Name Lang: | ga |
| Map Type: | Ireland |
| Coordinates: | 54.0029°N -6.4594°W |
| Location: | Donaghmore Kilcurly, Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland |
| Region: | Castletown River Valley |
| Type: | souterrain |
| Material: | stone |
| Built: | between AD 700 and 1200 |
| Cultures: | Gaelic Ireland |
| Archaeologists: | Etienne Ryan |
| Condition: | excellent |
| Ownership: | private |
| Public Access: | yes |
| Designation1: | National Monument of Ireland |
| Designation1 Offname: | Donaghmore Souterrain |
| Designation1 Number: | 526 |
Donaghmore Souterrain is a souterrain and National Monument located in County Louth, Ireland.[1] [2]
Donaghmore Souterrain is located 3.6km (02.2miles) west of Dundalk, near a cluster of houses.[3] [4]
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. 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.
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 1m (03feet) in height and the total length of tunnel is 80m (260feet).[6] [7] It is largely dug into boulder clay but also into Silurian grit.[8] [9]