Millstone quarry

The National Monuments Service's description

Located towards the bottom of a W-facing slope overlooking a fairly level shelf on the broad summit of Slieve Rushen, which has millstone grits in its solid geology. No documentary references to the quarries are known but they are probably 18th century in date and associated with the sweathouse (CV009-026----) at the S end of the N-S line of nine separate quarries that have been identified. Most consist merely of areas where the peat has been cleared off into small banks (Wth c. 2m; H 0.1-0.4m) surrounding circular exposed expanses of bedrock (int. diam. c. 4-6m), but these clearance banks are usually open on the downslope side. Quarrying was undertaken at perhaps two locations. At one, a rough-out for a millstone (diam. 1.6m; T 0.3-0.35m) survives with a broken edge. It is beside a small rectangular house (int. dims 2.5m E-W; 1.9m N-S) or shelter excavated into the hillslope, with an entrance gap (Wth 0.5m) towards the E end of the N wall.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 29 May, 2014