Underground tunnels-prehistoric

Hope I'm posting this on right forum but thought others might be interested in these two snippets about underground warrens for humans:

http://www.derryjournal.com/news/local/ancient_stone_chamber_unearthed_in_garden_1_2128768

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2022322/The-massive-European-network-Stone-Age-tunnels-weaves-Scotland-Turkey.html#ixzz1UiaP2UKU

I went up to Ingleborough last week and the caves up there apparently go out for mega miles, also some at Whitby that go out to sea and you can plunge down into them in a cage....
Locally I know of two buildings that can boast ancient monks passages connecting them to the local churches. It seems there's more to the warren underworld than we have been looking for, there's even a big earthen cave near moi that I daren't go into and I don't think anyone else bothers with it either....

Very interesting Tricia. There was a monastery at Clonmany - don't know whether it was Medieval or earlier. Quite probably the underground tunnel was built by the monks perhaps to escape from Viking raiders or others intent on death and destruction. I have heard of these secret tunnels at monastic sites before.

Sunbright57 wrote:Very interesting Tricia. There was a monastery at Clonmany - don't know whether it was Medieval or earlier. Quite probably the underground tunnel was built by the monks perhaps to escape from Viking raiders or others intent on death and destruction. I have heard of these secret tunnels at monastic sites before.

Yes....one tunnel locally runs from Kikstall Abbey to the Hark to Rover Cottages, an old converted pub that has a ghost. The building belonged to William of Orange and during his reign I guess there was a lot of religious tension and that's why the tunnel was built.
Another tunnel locally runs from a property in Calverley to the parish church that isn't that old, but obviously religious presecution is around in all ages. It might be other reasons caused the building of these tunnels...........it might be more practical reasons were served for them being dug out.
Lets face it in times when weather was tough if you didn't have a roof over your head what better way of getting shelter than digging a tunnel......beats paying tax on windows......ssshhhh don't tell the inland revenue.......