Hut site, Mín Na Saileach, Co. Donegal

Hut site, Mín Na Saileach, Co. Donegal

In the rugged landscape of County Donegal, a modest remnant of Ireland's rural past sits quietly on a grassy plateau.

Hut site, Mín Na Saileach, Co. Donegal

Known as Mín na Saileach 2, this small hut site represents the kind of humble dwelling that once dotted the Irish countryside. The structure, built from sod in a sub-rectangular shape, measures just 2.4 metres by 1.82 metres on the outside, with an even more compact interior space of 1.2 metres square. Its walls, though now standing only 25 centimetres high, were originally about 60 centimetres thick; substantial enough to provide some insulation against the Atlantic weather that sweeps across Donegal.

The hut’s northeast to southwest alignment and its construction from locally sourced sod speak to the practical building traditions of rural Ireland. These simple structures served various purposes throughout history, from seasonal shelters for shepherds and agricultural workers to temporary dwellings during times of economic hardship. The site now blends almost seamlessly into its surroundings, with bracken and grass gradually reclaiming the ancient walls.



Archaeological documentation of the site has been carried out by Dr Eugene Costello, whose research has helped preserve knowledge of these often overlooked rural structures. While the hut may appear unremarkable at first glance, it forms part of a broader archaeological landscape that tells the story of how ordinary people lived and worked in the Irish countryside. Such sites, though poorly preserved, offer tangible connections to the daily lives of past generations who shaped the land we see today.

Rated 0 out of 5

Good to Know

Tags

Visitor Notes

Review type for post source and places source type not found
Added by
Picture of IrishHistory.com
IrishHistory.com
IrishHistory.com is passionate about helping people discover and connect with the rich stories of their local communities.
Please use the form below to submit any photos you may have of Hut site, Mín Na Saileach, Co. Donegal. We're happy to take any suggested edits you may have too. Please be advised it will take us some time to get to these submissions. Thank you.
Name
Email
Message
Upload images/documents
Maximum file size: 50 MB
If you'd like to add an image or a PDF please do it here.

Costello, E. 2020 Transhumance and the Making of Ireland’s Uplands, 1550-1900. Woodbridge. Boydell. Costello, E. 2016 Upland transhumance practices in Ireland, and their role in post-medieval settlement and society, c.1550-1900 AD. Unpublished doctoral thesis, NUI Galway.
Mín Na Saileach, Co. Donegal
54.74813847, -8.6862605
54.74813847,-8.6862605
Mín Na Saileach 
Settlement Sites 

Related Places