Caher, Bohercuill, Co. Galway

Co. Galway |

Ringforts

Caher, Bohercuill, Co. Galway

In the level grassland of Bohercuill, a roughly circular outline in the ground marks what was once a cashel, a type of early medieval stone enclosure typically used as a defended farmstead or small settlement.

It is not dramatic to look at. The wall that once defined its perimeter, spanning roughly 37 metres north to south and 34 metres east to west, has long since collapsed inward, and centuries of field clearance have piled additional stone over whatever remained. What survives is more a presence than a structure, a subcircular shape readable from close inspection rather than visible at a glance.

Built into the outer face of the northeast section of the wall is a small stone structure, around 8 metres long and just under 3 metres wide, oriented northwest to southeast. Its original purpose is not recorded. More intriguing is what lies in the western part of the interior: an L-shaped hollow running northeast to southwest, with a poorly defined extension branching off at its southwestern end. Together these features measure several metres in each direction and drop below the surrounding ground level in a way that suggests either deliberate digging at some point or, more compellingly, the remnants of a souterrain. A souterrain is an underground passage or chamber, often stone-lined, associated with early medieval settlements in Ireland and used variously for storage, refuge, or ventilation. Whether that is what this hollow represents remains uncertain. A series of associated earthworks in the vicinity adds to the sense that this was once a more substantial complex than anything now visible above ground.

Rated 0 out of 5

Visitor Notes

Review type for post source and places source type not found
Added by
Picture of Pete F
Pete F
IrishHistory.com is passionate about helping people discover and connect with the rich stories of their local communities.
Please use the form below to submit any photos you may have of Caher, Bohercuill, Co. Galway. We're happy to take any suggested edits you may have too. Please be advised it will take us some time to get to these submissions. Thank you.
Name
Email
Message
Upload images/documents
Maximum file size: 100 MB
If you'd like to add an image or a PDF please do it here.

Advertisement