Millstone quarry

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on top of cliffs (H c. 30-40m) down to the estuary of the Barrow/Nore/Suir, which is immediately to the SW. The medieval settlement on Great Island (WX039-090----) produced millstones in the middle ages, perhaps from this location. Robert Leigh writing in 1684 records that millstones were quarried from rock over Ballyhack (Hore 1858-9, 458). There are rectangular troughs (dims. c. 6m x 4m; D 0.3-0.5m), with the curved negative impression of millstones, cut into the surface of the rock outcrop. There are also some unfinished millstone rough-outs in the vicinity.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload/revision: 17 June, 2013

References

Hore, H. F. 1858-9 A chorographic account of the southern part of the county of Wexford, written Anno 1684: by Robert Leigh, Esq., of Rosegarland, in that county. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, vol. 5, 17-21, 451-67.