Mr. Weaver on the Geological Relations of the South of Ireland. 27 



Mr. S wanton's estate, situated about one and a half mile north of Cappagh. The works here ex- 

 tended about 20 fathoms in depth. 



Some similar indications of ore occur on Lord Audley's property adjoining the Ballydehob mine; 

 also on Mr. Becher's estate, lying about one mile and a half to the north-west ; also, one mile 

 and a half further in the same direction, on Mr. Teulon's land in Gurtinakilly, A similar occur- 

 rence is to be observed about two miles south of Skibbereen on the townland of Money volan. Co- 

 lonel Townsend's property ; and again in Hare Island, south-east of Horse Island. 



This diffusion of cupreous particles through a portion of the county of 

 Cork is remarkable ; and it is to be hoped that the indications may lead to 

 the discovery of some valuable deposit. 



(40.) Cupriferous peat-bog. In the year 1812 there existed on the eastern side of Glandore 

 harbour, a peat-bog occupying a small dell, and extending over a very few acres, which was found 

 charged with copper. The peat was in consequence cut out, burnt, and the copper thus be- 

 came concentrated in the ashes. Forty or fifty tons of the dry peat produced about one ton of 

 cupriferous ashes, which were sufficiently rich to yield a remunerating price when sold. Some 

 of the ashes are said to have contained as much as 10 or 15 percent, of copper. This discovery 

 led to some trials in the vicinity with a view to find the source of the saline impregnation. In 

 these researches, however, there were met with in the soil, only detached portions of iron ore and 

 manganese, partly blended with quartz and sulphate of barytes. It seems not improbable that 

 this deposition of copper in the bog, originated in the decomposition of some of the sulphurets of 

 copper, contained in the vicinage, either in a metalliferous bed, or partially disseminated in the 

 rock ; both of which cases, we have shown, are not of uncommon occurrence in this part of the 

 island. 



Quarries of roofing--slate are worked near Glandore harbour^ and other parts 

 adjacent to the south coast; and of this slate considerable use is made in the 

 country. But it cannot vie either with the Welsh or the Valentia slate. 



(41.) One of the most valuable copper mines in Ireland is that of Aliihies, situated in the 

 south-western extremity of the county of Cork, facing the entrance of Kenmare bay. It was dis- 

 covered by a Wicklow miner in the year 1812, and it has been since wrought with great success, 

 having yielded upon an average more than two thousand tons of merchantable ore per annum, 

 which has been sold in the Swansea market, in general, at the rate of about £10 per ton. This body 

 of ore has been derived from a powerful vein of quartz, which is of variable dimensions, but has 

 in some parts been found enlarged to the breadth of thirty feet. The principal deposits of ore 

 have occurred adjacent to the walls. The vein ranges in general in a north and south direction, 

 intersecting the slaty rocks of the country, but in a part of its course it also runs parallel with the 

 slate. The chief workings have been extended to a depth exceeding fifty fathoms, the prevailing 

 ore being copper pyrites. 



(6.) In the Transition Limestone. 



(42.) The transition limestone of the South of Ireland has hitherto been 

 found productive of metal in the county of Kerry alone ; viz., in the lead 

 mines of Kenmare, and in the copper mines of Muckruss, Ross Island, and 

 Crow Island. 



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