Cliadh Dubh - The Black Ditch

Cliadh Dubh - The Black Ditch
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Cliadh Dubh or the Black Ditch is an ancient linear earthwork running a distance of over 22kms from the Ballyhoura Mountains to the Nagle Mountains crossing the Blackwater valley in North East Cork.

The ditches take their names from Gaelic folklore. One tale says that a huge black boar tore-up the countryside with its large tusks. Another says that the ditches were made by a huge worm. The purpose and function of this and similar earthworks are unclear but they may have indicated some sort of territorial boundaries or boarders, defended ancient roads and trails, acted as protection to cattle from wild animals or obstacles to prevent cattle raids or rustling or maybe some other use.

Similar earthworks can be found in other parts of Ireland most notable the Black Pig’s Dyke which formed the border of the ancient Kingdom of Ulster. These Ditches date back over 1,000 years and it is believed they were modelled on Ancient Roman Limes, their defensive boundaries such as Hadrian’s Wall between Scotland and England. In 1998 an archaeological survey of the entire Ditch and a partial excavation revealed much more of what it looked like and what its purpose might have been.

The Cliadh Dubh is by now mostly indistinguishable from the surrounding countryside and field boundaries but can be viewed from the roadside in places and from satellite images if you know what you are looking for. The most remarkable fact about the Claidh Dubh today is that it forms part of the boundary between Kildorrery and neighbouring parish of Shanballymore and several other townlands and parishes as it twists its way through the countryside. This suggests that the local boundaries we know today are more ancient than we can imagine.

  • Contact:
  • Kildorrery, County Cork, Ireland

Suitable for:

History Lovers
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Cliadh Dubh or the Black Ditch is an ancient linear earthwork running a distance of over 22kms from the Ballyhoura Mountains to the Nagle Mountains crossing the Blackwater valley in North East Cork.

The ditches take their names from Gaelic folklore. One tale says that a huge black boar tore-up the countryside with its large tusks. Another says that the ditches were made by a huge worm. The purpose and function of this and similar earthworks are unclear but they may have indicated some sort of territorial boundaries or boarders, defended ancient roads and trails, acted as protection to cattle from wild animals or obstacles to prevent cattle raids or rustling or maybe some other use.

Similar earthworks can be found in other parts of Ireland most notable the Black Pig’s Dyke which formed the border of the ancient Kingdom of Ulster. These Ditches date back over 1,000 years and it is believed they were modelled on Ancient Roman Limes, their defensive boundaries such as Hadrian’s Wall between Scotland and England. In 1998 an archaeological survey of the entire Ditch and a partial excavation revealed much more of what it looked like and what its purpose might have been.

The Cliadh Dubh is by now mostly indistinguishable from the surrounding countryside and field boundaries but can be viewed from the roadside in places and from satellite images if you know what you are looking for. The most remarkable fact about the Claidh Dubh today is that it forms part of the boundary between Kildorrery and neighbouring parish of Shanballymore and several other townlands and parishes as it twists its way through the countryside. This suggests that the local boundaries we know today are more ancient than we can imagine.

  • Contact:
  • Kildorrery, County Cork, Ireland

Suitable for:

History Lovers