130 



ultimate escape. That those souterrains were so used as granaries 

 and storehouses, is made more probable by their having no passages 

 for light or smoke, and will be found confirmed by Giraldus Cam- 

 brensis ;* while their other use, as places of retreat, is illustrated by 

 the passage in the Icelandic annals herein-after cited.* Other caves 

 apparently for similar purposes, but not attached to raths, are frequent 

 throughout the island. It may be remarked that Tacitusf- mentions 

 caves among the Germans for granaries and places of retreat, and 

 HirtiusJ speaks of the same in Africa. Their generality is more ex- 

 tensively established in King's Munimenta Antiqua, (vol. I. p. 45, 

 &c.) In Ireland they are usually based on sand or gravel, so that 

 no water can rest on them.- 



Of the rath caves, the most curious are, one running a considera- 

 ble distance under the royal station at Rath Croghan, in the County 

 of Roscommon ; another in the hill of Knock-an-ard-ousk, imme- 

 diately over Lucan, which is said to run a considerable way under 

 ground, linking in its course a series of six or more little circular 

 vaults. In removing some of the fine mould about this cave, several 

 stone implements of war and husbandry were discovered, some of 

 which, together with an ancient spur, and a piece of curiously carved 

 bone also found there, are in the possession of Mr. Gandon, the present 

 proprietor. The summit of this bold and picturesque eminence is 

 rounded into a fine rath, half of whose circumference is almost im- 

 pregnable by nature, while the other half is defended by smooth, 

 steep, outworks of earth. In a hill near Castle Connor, in the County 

 of Sligo, there is a yet more curious subterranean passage, running in 

 a circle, and in its diameter opening on quadrangular chambers built 



* Vide post, Period 2. sect. 5. t ^^ Morib. German, c. 16. 



+ De Bell. Afric. sect. 67. 



