Known as Mín na Saileach 11, this rectangular structure measures approximately 4.6 metres by 3.6 metres externally, with interior dimensions of 4 metres by 2 metres. The hut’s remains consist of two parallel low earthen banks, each about a metre wide and rising just 25 centimetres above the surrounding ground. Aligned north to south, the structure features an open southern end that likely served as the entrance, whilst the northern boundary blends seamlessly with the naturally elevated terrain.

The site sits in a dry, grassy area some 40 metres north of a stream, a practical location that would have provided both drainage and access to water. Sod-built structures like this one were once common throughout Ireland, particularly in areas where stone was scarce or where temporary dwellings were needed. These buildings, constructed from layers of turf or sod stacked to form walls, represented an economical and efficient building method that made use of readily available materials.

Dr Eugene Costello’s documentation of this site contributes to a growing understanding of Ireland’s lesser-known archaeological features. Whilst such humble structures rarely capture the imagination like grand castles or ancient stone circles, they tell equally important stories about how ordinary people lived and worked in the Irish countryside. The hut at Mín na Saileach stands as a quiet testament to the resourcefulness of past communities who shaped their dwellings from the very earth beneath their feet.