Scheduled MonumentsNorthern IrelandLisburnSouterrain and rath? (part of rath complex)
E.CHRIST. · SOUTERRAIN

Souterrain and rath? (part of rath complex)

Lisburn, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 4705
Period
E.CHRIST.
Site type
SOUTERRAIN
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

Souterrain and rath at E.CHRIST. LISBURN in County Antrim is an Early Christian subterranean passage structure associated with a rath, or ringfort settlement, dating to the medieval period. The souterrain represents a characteristic form of underground stone-built passage found extensively across Early Christian Ireland, typically constructed as storage facilities, refuges, or ritual spaces within defended settlement complexes. The site's designation as an Early Christian monument places it within the period following Roman withdrawal from Britain and the establishment of Christian monastic and secular settlement patterns across the Irish landscape. The survival of both the souterrain and the ringfort earthwork together preserves important archaeological evidence of settlement organisation and domestic practice during the Early Medieval period in Ulster.

Souterrain and rath? (part of rath complex) is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 4705. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Souterrain and rath? (part of rath complex)?

Souterrain and rath at E.CHRIST. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 4705.

What period does Souterrain and rath? (part of rath complex) date from?

Souterrain and rath? (part of rath complex) dates from the e.christ. period, and is classified as a souterrain. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Souterrain and rath? (part of rath complex)?

Souterrain and rath? (part of rath complex) is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Ni. The official designation reference is 4705.

What other scheduled monuments are near Souterrain and rath? (part of rath complex)?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Earthwork enclosure (4.8 km), Castle robin. c17th fortified house built near motte & bailey (7.1 km), Counterscarp rath (7.4 km).

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