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Query on stone underground drain

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  • 13-07-2015 9:29pm
    #1
    Bluscreendream
    Registered Users Posts: 184 ✭✭


    Hi guys,

    I was in Roscommon this weekend working with a friend in the back garden of an old cottage. We were digging shallow foundations and hit a large flagstone, we prised it up and discovered there was a stone drainage channel underneath. I attached a photo of the inside, I'm really curious as to when it could have been built or what era it's from, would anyone have any ideas?

    Thanks.


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    #2
    robp
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,934 ✭✭✭robp


    Bluscreendream wrote: »
    Hi guys,

    I was in Roscommon this weekend working with a friend in the back garden of an old cottage. We were digging shallow foundations and hit a large flagstone, we prised it up and discovered there was a stone drainage channel underneath. I attached a photo of the inside, I'm really curious as to when it could have been built or what era it's from, would anyone have any ideas?

    Thanks.

    It looks very like a Souterrain to me. Very cool find.


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    #3
    robindch
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 24,399 Mod ✭✭✭✭robindch


    Is there a metal box in there anywhere?


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    #4
    Reader1937
    Registered Users Posts: 141 ✭✭Reader1937


    Possible culvert? Rough location would help.


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    #5
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    Bluscreendream wrote: »
    Hi guys,

    I was in Roscommon this weekend working with a friend in the back garden of an old cottage. We were digging shallow foundations and hit a large flagstone, we prised it up and discovered there was a stone drainage channel underneath. I attached a photo of the inside, I'm really curious as to when it could have been built or what era it's from, would anyone have any ideas?

    Thanks.
    Contemporary with the house, in all probability.
    Drains like this were constructed until very recently, and still are when suitable stone is freely available.


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    #6
    Bluscreendream
    Registered Users Posts: 184 ✭✭Bluscreendream


    robindch wrote: »
    Is there a metal box in there anywhere?

    Robindch, why should there be? :rolleyes:


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    #7
    Bluscreendream
    Registered Users Posts: 184 ✭✭Bluscreendream


    Reader1937 wrote: »
    Possible culvert? Rough location would help.


    Hi Reader1937, The cottage is at least 250 years old and is just outside Elphin village.

    Thanks.


  • Options
    #8
    Arsemageddon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭Arsemageddon


    Going by the photo it looks like a box drain, as stated earlier it is probably contemporary with the house or maybe a little later in date.

    If you get a chance OP you might give us a rough idea of the dimensions on the interior of the drain.


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    #9
    Bluscreendream
    Registered Users Posts: 184 ✭✭Bluscreendream


    Arsemageddon wrote: »
    Going by the photo it looks like a box drain, as stated earlier it is probably contemporary with the house or maybe a little later in date.

    If you get a chance OP you might give us a rough idea of the dimensions on the interior of the drain.

    Hi Arsemageddon, I should be down there again this weekend, I'll get you the domensions. Many thanks.


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    #10
    robp
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,934 ✭✭✭robp


    slowburner wrote: »
    Contemporary with the house, in all probability.
    Drains like this were constructed until very recently, and still are when suitable stone is freely available.

    I didn't realise open drains like that were built. I would have assumed (without much knowledge on historic drain design) building such an open tunnel would add unnecessary complication. What sort of dimensions or features are diagnostic of this type?


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    #11
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    robp wrote: »
    I didn't realise open drains like that were built. I would have assumed (without much knowledge on historic drain design) building such an open tunnel would add unnecessary complication. What sort of dimensions or features are diagnostic of this type?
    I don't think the dimensions are diagnostic of anything in particular, or that there are standard dimensions. It largely depends on the width of stones/slabs available to span the channel.


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    #12
    robp
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,934 ✭✭✭robp


    slowburner wrote: »
    I don't think the dimensions are diagnostic of anything in particular, or that there are standard dimensions. It largely depends on the width of stones/slabs available to span the channel.

    But I guess a drain has an upper limit in how wide and tall it is is likely to be. While a souterrain must be large enough for one person to squeeze through and can be larger.


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    #13
    Bluscreendream
    Registered Users Posts: 184 ✭✭Bluscreendream


    Bluscreendream wrote: »
    Hi Arsemageddon, I should be down there again this weekend, I'll get you the domensions. Many thanks.


    Hi Arsemageddon,

    I measured the drain over the weekend, it's approximately w 50cm x h 30cm.It doesn't seem like a souterrain (?) and as previously suggested is probably a drain. What do you think?

    Thanks,
    Blu


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    #14
    Arsemageddon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭Arsemageddon


    Bluscreendream wrote: »
    Hi Arsemageddon,

    I measured the drain over the weekend, it's approximately w 50cm x h 30cm.It doesn't seem like a souterrain (?) and as previously suggested is probably a drain. What do you think?

    Thanks,
    Blu

    I'd say it's a drain alright. Drains of that type are common enough in towns and around 19th century buildings.


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