Kinahan — On Irish Arenaceous Rocks. 533 



at other times, especially during the heat of summer or in frost, 

 quite dry. These tests the stone has stood well. 



The second is a fine stone, taking a beautiful edge, and suitable 

 for the finest work. It can be worked on any surface, where it is 

 equally durable, as it does not require to be laid on its own bed. 

 The spire of Ballycastle Church, built in 1756, is of this stone, 

 and has remained perfect ever since. It was also used for dressing, 

 facing, and other purposes at Doon Hill, Co. Londonderry, built 

 by Lord Bristol, then bishop, in 1783 to 1785, and the cornices 

 and fine work are still quite fresh. In Belfast it contrasts favour- 

 ably with other sandstones. The spire of the Charitable Institute, 

 built 1774, is of this stone, and also the portico of St. George's 

 Church. The latter was originally in Lord Bristol's palace of 

 Ballyscullion, and was removed to Belfast after the palace was 

 burnt down. These have shown no signs of decay, while English, 

 Scotch, and other stones in the Belfast structures have had to be 

 painted or re-dressed. This stone was also used for the dressings 

 in the Grain Market; and in Coleraine for the inside dressings 

 in the church. It was formerly used largely for Tombstones, 

 but at present only a little. 



In Ballymena, the nearest large town, it is not now used, as 

 the Scotch stones are cheaper. The Dungannon stones, Co. Tyrone, 

 are, however, still cheaper, costing 4s. a ton, while the Scotch is 

 10s. The spire and dressings of the west church are of the Dun- 

 gannon stone, while it is also generally used for window-sills and 

 such like. The quarries about Dungannon yield different stones. 

 From Bloomhill come the stones most used and preferred in Bally- 

 mena ; but in Belfast they prefer the Eanfurly and Carlan stones. 



Fair Head. — Eed. Works freely ; durable ; used throughout 

 in the Ballycastle Coastguard Station. (J. Cockburn.) 



Triassic. — This occurs more or less as a fringe, margining 

 the later rocks to the eastward. It is commonly known as " Eed 

 Free." This sandstone works easily and finely, but almost inva- 

 riably it is very friable and weathers quickly. Some of the hardest 

 stones are quarried in the vicinity of Eed Bay and at Bank Head, 

 near Lame. There are also various quarries in the valley of the 

 Lagan. 



For Belfast the "Eed Free" is usually brought from Scrabo 

 and Dundonald, Co. Down, where the stone is much harder and 



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