Mr. Weaver on the Geological Relations of the South of Ireland. 57 



and northern flanks of the coal-field, as well as in the interior ; but still more 

 clearly in the mural precipices of the western coast, the natural sections of 

 which, gradually decline in elevation in proceeding- from nortii to south. 



(72.) At the northern extremity, at Doolan and the village of Roadford, the 

 limestone is at the foot of the escarpment, and the calcareous base with the 

 superimposed coal measures, may be seen in juxtaposition. The lime- 

 stone appears also on the beach, and forms the low point of Ballylaline. To 

 the south of the place, where the two formations are seen in conjunction, 

 we look along a range of cliffs facing- the Atlantic as far as Luagh Point; and 

 if we afterwards proceed to Ballyelaw Point, still more south, we obtain, in 

 reverse position, a view to the north, extending- also to Luagh Point ; thus 

 comprising in tiiese t-ivo views, the whole of that part of the coast, a range 

 of seven or eight miles in extent. The cliffs are nearly mural throughout, 

 varying generally in elevation perhaps from 200 to 300 feet. In the first and 

 lowest part of the coal measures, displayed in these cliffs, the shales predo- 

 minate, in which clay ironstone occasionally appears, and also gritstone in 

 thin, subordinate beds; but higher up in the series (he gritstones acquire 

 greater magnitude and strength. In no part of this portion of the coast, 

 has any coal been discovered ; but excellent flag-stones might be raised from 

 the slaty, micaceous gritstone, to any extent and of the largest dimensions. 



(73.) On the other hand, if from Ballyelaw Point, or from Liscanon asy- 

 lum harbour, situated on the east, we cross Malbay to the opposite coast, on 

 the south-east, we find coal in the cliff at Raneen, about five miles from 

 Ennistymond. This is the lowest coal hitherto met with in the whole 

 tract. It is a seam of flaky, tender anthracite, much contaminated with iron 

 pyrites, and -averaging about eighteen inches in thickness, the roof beings 

 shale, and the floor gritstone flag-. It has been wrought to a very trifling 

 extent only, for the purpose of burning- limestone, brought from the south 

 islands of Arran ; and the furthest drift inland, does not exceed fifty yards in 

 length. The mine is situated about twenty feet above high water-mark, but 

 the seam may be traced on its line of dip along the foot of the cliff to the 

 south, until it sinks below the level of the sea. Above this seam is a second, 

 perhaps 80 or 100 yards higher in the series; it does not, however, appear 

 in the face of the cliffs, which, upon this part of the coast, scarcely attain 

 200 feet in height. The second seam, which does not exceed eight or nine 

 inches in thickness, consists of solid anthracite, good "sweet" coal, the roof 

 being- shale, and the floor fire-clay, having beneath it gritstone flag. This 

 coal was discovered about forty years ago by some Kilkenny colliers ; it has 

 been worked to a small extent only. 



VOL. V. SECOND SERIES. I . 



