532 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



Silurian. — On the east coast, in the neighbourhood of Cushen- 

 dun, there are massive conglomerates associated in places with 

 sandstones. These rocks seem evidently to he a portion of the 

 littoral or shore beds of the Ulster and Connaught Silurian Basin, 

 heaved northward by the faults of the Lough Neagh valley. 



■In places some of the conglomerates can be raised in blocks 

 very suitable for piers and other rough work, while some of the 

 finer beds can be used for cut-stone purposes. " The fine beds at 

 Cave House were at one time largely quarried, and shipped to 

 Belfast for building purposes" (G. S. If.). 



Carboniferous. — Near Benmore, or Fairhead, is a small tract 

 of Ulster-type Calp, where there were some workable beds of coals, 

 for which reason it is commonly known as the Ballycastle Coal- 

 field {see Antrim, "Metal Mining," ante, page 264). Here are 

 some stones of great durability ; but as some beds are better than 

 others, they should be selected with care and judgment. The best 

 stones are whitish or creamy, finely granular, nearly entirely sili- 

 cious, but slightly micaceous, and having a few iron spots. Some 

 beds, although otherwise good, are liable to discolour. 



Bally or y Quarry. — Three miles from Ballycastle, where there is 

 a railway station. Wilkinson thus describes the stones : " Best 

 stone very fine-grained and friable, almost entirely silicious- 

 grained, slightly micaceous, and with a few iron spots ; works 

 easily and well. In selecting the stone, blocks showing iron spots 

 should be rejected." But Mr. Cray says : " Irregular in texture, 

 gritty, and in many beds soft. Carefully-selected stones stand 

 exposure ; but as a rule it is not a good stone." 



In colour it is pink-white or creamy. Of the latter there 

 are two kinds, one coarse-grained and very strong, admirably 

 suited for bridges, piers, and other strong work. It has been used 

 for many of the bridges in the Co. Antrim, including the via- 

 duct, in places 90 or 100 feet high, over Glendun, in the latter 

 having been used in all the most particular and trying parts. 

 This viaduct has now been a great many years built, and there are 

 not the slightest symptoms of decay in any of the Ballycastle 

 stones used therein. The Ballycastle bridge, after it was carried 

 aAvay, was rebuilt in 1852 with this stone, and the chisel brushings 

 are now nearly quite fresh. Here the durability of the stone has 

 been considerably tested, as during spring-tides they are wet, and 



