[ '57 ] 



OBSERVATIONS on COAL-MINE S» 

 Bj RICHARD KIRWAN, Efq-, M.R.LA. and F.K.S. 



X N travelling through different parts of the kingdom laft futn- Read Jan. 

 mer, it was with pleafure I obferved the attention of many of '°»'' 5* 

 the principal landholders awakened to refearches after minerals, 

 a fpecies of riches with which I have reafon to think Ireland is 

 well fupplied, though few of them have as yet been worked with 

 national advantage. In confequence of this attention, ores of 

 copper, lead, and iron of the beft kind, have been already found 

 in different provinces ; but the want of fuel has hitherto pre- 

 vented the proprietors from reaping the full benefit of their 

 difcoveries, fuch ores as lie in the interior parts of the kingdom 

 being utterly negleded, and thofe fituated near the fea being 

 generally tranfported to England. It is therefore evident that 

 of all minerals the moft necelTary at prefent is pit-coal j its ufes 

 extending not only to the purpofcs of metallurgy, but to thofe 



of 



