One of the finest examples of a souterrain in Ireland

Binder’s Cove Souterrain is an impressive example and was constructed around the 9th century AD during the Viking era. The word ‘souterrain’ comes from the French meaning ‘beneath the ground’ and over 1000 have been recorded in Ireland. They are probably the longest-used structures in our history and were used primarily used as a place to store food, for refuge, and for hiding valuables. In more recent times IRA arms were even hidden or ‘stored’ in these structures! They were constructed by digging an open trench, in which a dry-stone wall was assembled on both sides to form a tunnel. Horizontal lintel stones were then laid on top of the wall stones, and the entire assembly, stable without mortar, was then covered with earth. The tunnels can also include ventilation shafts, and niches or cupboards in the walls.