On the Occurrmce and Winning of Gold in Ireland. 277 



where large stones occur, under and around which a very rich 

 accumulation was often found,* as if due to the eddies that were 

 produced by them in the ancient stream. On the bed rock the 

 gold almost invariably occurs in "strings" or "leads," which 

 form rich accumulations at the large stones mentioned above, 

 and also in the hollows that are formed at the intersections of 

 joints and breaks ; and Kirwan has remarked that the deposit 

 was most productive in the more level parts of the valleys, at the 

 angles of the streams, and especially at the confluence of the 

 streams, and also where the stream crosses the strike of the rocks. 



The Auriferous Streams. 



The following streams are those that have been systematically 

 searched in this district. (See Map Plate xxi.) 



The Ballintemple stream falls into the Daragh water on its 

 right bank, about a mile north-west of Woodenbridge, it was 

 worked first by Crockford and Co., and subsequently by the Carys- 

 fort Company .f Besides small gold, numerous small nuggets were 

 found. The waste heaps are traceable from the Aughrim valley, 

 up to a short distance above the " Bride's Well " 



The Gold Mine River, however, is the principal auriferous 

 stream, and enters the Daragh water at Woodenbridge ; about a 

 mile S.W. from which this stream bifurcates ; and, for convenience 

 in describing its branches, we will adopt the names applied by 

 Weaver to them respectively, Western and Eastern or principal, 

 auriferous streams. Below their junction the deep gravels of these 

 rivers have not been explored. 



The Western Auriferous stream or " Gold Mine River," is formed 

 by the junction of three rivulets (draining the north-eastern slopes 



* This was so well recognized by the old diggers, that if they came on one towards 

 night they would watch it till morning, fearing lest it might be robbed. The usual large 

 stones in these valleys are the Greenstones from the adjoining hills. Besides the riches 

 on the bed rock, in one place a thin seam of clay occurred in the gravel, above which there 

 was a rich accumulation of " black sand," besides that found below it. 



f It is an interesting fact that the gravels of many of these streams, after being allowed 

 to rest for a time, paid for re-washing. The machine usually employed was "The LongTom " 

 and it was no uncommon thing for the local diggers to pan the sand from the mouth of the 

 Company's Tom, and obtain a fair return from it — one notorious digger, Regan, obtaining 

 £5 worth on one occasion. The machine used at the Government workings is described in 

 the " Transactions Royal Dublin Society," Vol. II., and there is an interesting picture of 

 the workings in the Museum. 



