Kinahan — On Irish Marbles and Limestones. 415 



limestone can be worked on the surface in so many places, very 

 few quarries have been opened : the stones procured at some depth 

 are, however, much more easily worked than those obtained at the 

 surface. 



Rosslevin. One mile from Ennis, where the stone is exten- 

 sively used. — Dark-grey, semi -oolitic, crystalline, and close-grained. 

 "Works freely : but as the stones are of small dimensions they are 

 procured at Bushy Park when required for larger size. 



Bushy Park. Over two miles from Ennis. — Somewhat like the 

 Rosslevin stone, but can be raised in much larger blocks. 



Kilfenora. Over six miles from Ennistymon, where the stone 

 has been largely used. — Grey to dark-grey. Eather difficult to 

 work. The great durability of the stone of this neighbourhood, 

 and its capability of being used in fine work, is seen in the 

 ancient crosses and the cut-stone work of the ecclesiastical ruins. 

 Ancient work in Burren stone can also be seen in the ruins of 

 Corcomroe Abbey, near Ballyvaughan. In connexion with the 

 latter, the tradition in the country is, that the stones were procured 

 in a cleft south-east of the summit of Moneen mountain, called 

 " Scalp-na-Shesbia," but this seems to be a natural ravine, and due 

 to weathering. 



In the south and south-east of the county quarries have been 

 opened in various places for local purposes. South of Newmarket- 

 on-Fergus there is a quarry in a red or reddish-grey stone, that 

 was used in the building of Adare Manor, Co. Limerick ; it has 

 also been worked for marble. 



The stones of this county make excellent and cheap lime. 

 Along the south-west coast sea-shells used formerly to be burnt 

 for lime. 



Cork. 



In comparison with the extent of the county, there is not much 

 Carboniferous limestone in it. It principally occurs in the valley 

 of the Lee, near Cork, and thence eastwards to Youghal ; also in the 

 valley of the Blackwater. Many of these stones are remarkable 

 for their beauty. Macaulay has made the beautiful stone of which 

 the Courthouse of Cork is built historical. 



Aherla. About nine miles north of Bandon. — Light-grey, 

 platy, very easily worked ; can be sawn with advantage, and large 



