Kinahan — On Irish Arenaceous Rocks. 575 



lamery, there are conglomerates suitable for rough work ; while at 

 Kilmaganny there is a nice, durable yellow stone, used for cut- 

 stone purposes in the entrance gate, Rossenarra, and in houses in 

 the village. 



In the Lower Coal-measures at ShanJcill, Kellymount, and 

 Conahy, are procured the flags known as Carlow Flags, on 

 account of their being carted to that town, and sent from thence 

 by water to the different markets. The Shankill flags were 

 considered the best, and ranged in thickness from 4 inches to 

 half an inch. They could be raised as large as 12 or 14 feet 

 square, but in general from 8 to 10 feet long, and 3 to 4 feet wide. 

 At Kellymount the flags were very similar, but of a lighter colour. 

 At Conahy they were considered inferior. Some of them were so 

 thin, that formerly they were used for roofing. Formerly there 

 was a very extensive trade in these flags; but as the " clearing" 

 or "baring" increased on the flag strata, so did the expense of 

 getting them, and they were undersold by other flags. Since then 

 the introduction of asphalt and other artificial footways has greatly 

 lessened the demand for all flags here and elsewhere. 



In Conahy, as pointed out by Mr. Burtchael, some of the 

 stones have natural dressed surfaces (" edgers"), which show well 

 as quoins or facings, having the appearance of " nice square cut- 

 stone blocks." 



Kiltown. Half a mile from Castlecomer. — Yellow and grey ; 

 durable ; easily worked ; used in the Roman Catholic Church and 

 the wing of the Wandesforde mansion, Castlecomer. 



Coolcullen. Five miles from Castlecomer, and nine from 

 Carlow. — Yellowish, kind, and works easily. Used in interior 

 work during the restoration of St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny, 

 and recent work at Freshford Church. Mr. Burtchael points out 

 that the carvings of the ancient doorway of Freshford Church 

 are greatly worn and disintegrated, the stone apparently being 

 like the Coolcullen stone. 



Red Sandstone from the vicinity was used in Thomastown 

 Abbey for the capitals of the pillars between the nave and side 

 aisle. On them the carved foliage is much weathered, having 

 been for centuries exposed to the elements, although originally 

 under cover. (J. G. Robertson.) Mr. Robertson points out that, 

 in St. Canice's Cathedral, Graigue-na-Managh Abbey, Jerpoint 



