1 op 
XXXI. 
PROSPECTING FOR GOLD IN CO. WICKLOW, AND AN 
EXAMINATION OF IRISH ROCKS FOR GOLD AND 
SILVER. By E. ST. JOHN LYBURN, A.R.C.So.1., F.G.S., 
Mining Engineer, Pretoria. 
(Puates XXIV. anp XXV.) 
[COMMUNICATED BY PROFESSOR W. N. HARTLEY, F.R.S. | 
[Read Decremper 19, 1900 ; Received for Publication FrBruary 6, 1901 ; 
Published May 8, 1901. ] 
TE existence of gold in Ireland has been known for many years, 
and papers have been read before this Society dealing with the 
history and occurrence of the metal; however, the following 
passages from Lewis’s “ Topographical Dictionary of Ireland ” 
and Calvert’s “ Gold Rocks of Great Britain”’ appear to have 
escaped attention. 
Lewis writes thus (1837)—“ The mountain of Croghan Kin- 
shelagh, towards the close of the last century, became an object of 
intense interest from its supposed production of native gold. A 
peasant fishing in one of the streams which descended from it dis- 
covered, at different times, small particles of gold, which for about 
twelve years he continued to sell privately to a goldsmith, till, in 
September, 1796, the discovery became known, and thousands of 
persons engaged in the search for this precious metal. Several 
masses of extraordinary size were found, one of which weighed 
nine, another eighteen, and a third twenty-two ounces; and so 
great was the number of the peasantry allured to the spot by the 
hope of enriching themselves that in the short space of six or seven 
weeks, during which the washing of the sand was continued, not 
less than 2666 ounces of pure gold were obtained, which were 
sold for £10,000. 
‘‘ After the people had continued their searches for a little more 
than six weeks, Government took possession of the mine, and 
stationed a party of the Kildare Militia to prevent further encroach- 
ment; an Act of Parliament was passed for working it, and 
