540 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



exist near Mount Shannon, at the bounds of the Co. Gralway and 

 this county. 



As pointed out by Wilkinson, the stonework of the ancient 

 Crypt and Cathedral at Killaloe attest the durability and quality 

 of the sandstones of that neighbourhood. 



To the west of the county, in the Coal-measures, the sandstones 

 and grits are usually thin-bedded, brownish, and bluish-greys, 

 close-grained, and compact. They are very good for general 

 building purposes, being very durable, and having flat beds, make 

 very strong, good work ; otherwise, they are not much used, 

 being expensive to quarry, on account of the great head (over- 

 baring) of drift. They are also difficult to dress, and for cut- 

 stone purposes limestone is generally used in the district. 



Ennistimon. — In beds or layers, from 2 to 8, or 10 inches thick. 

 Dark-grey ; close and compact ; very silicious. Makes good wall- 

 ing. Very difficult to work. 



Crag. One mile from Kilrush. — Flags like those at Money 

 Point. 



Money Point (on the Shannon). — Flags somewhat like the Car- 

 low flags, but much darker ; rough on the surface from tracks of 

 marine worms and other animals. They have been extensively 

 quarried, and exported to different places along the coast of the 

 south-west counties. Formerly they were extensively manufac- 

 tured into chimney-pieces, at the Marble Works, Killaloe, where 

 there was machinery for cutting them and planing their surfaces. 

 At one time the Killaloe chimney-pieces were well known in the 

 market, and the Works employed a large staff of men, women, 

 and children. Some thirty years ago, however, this trade seems 

 to have died out, and now the " Killaloe Marble Works " exist 

 only in name. 



[The history of the Killaloe Marble Works I have not heen able to unravel. Kil- 

 laloe is most favourably situated, having the command of the greatest water-power in 

 Ireland, and ought to he one of the great centres of industry; but for some reasons all 

 this great water-power is allowed to remain idle. Prior to 1850, the Killaloe Works 

 were a great source of employment, not only in the town, but in the flag quarries on 

 the Lower Shannon, and in various marble quarries, principally in Counties Tipperary 

 and Limerick. All of these quarries seem to have failed when the Killaloe Works 

 ceased.] 



Sand and Gravel. — Very superior crystalline sand is found on 



