Lime Kiln near

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Free-standing lime kiln, built c.1910, located to the south side of Camlough Road. Square-on-plan, partially recessed within grassy bank.

Roof is rubble stone, consisting of large circular hole lined with rubble stone, to exhaust fumes and stoke fire. Walls are random rubble with flat stone coping.

Principal elevation faces north and contains large three-stage pointed-segmental-arched-headed opening with brick voussoirs; large square-headed draw hole at base.

North and south elevations partially recessed within bank; exposed sections are blank.

Setting:-
Kiln has a roadside location with access from north; yard at upper level; bounded to each side by wire fencing.

Roof: N/A
Walling: Stone
Windows: N/A
Rainwater goods: N/A

Historical information

The kiln first appears on the fourth edition OS map of 1935 captioned as a limekiln.

Mitchell and Ryan point out that the lime-kiln “where small quantities of limestone had been burnt with peat or coal at least since the eighteenth century” was “one of the characteristic features of the Irish landscape”. The burnt limestone was primarily used as a fertiliser but, under the Marshall Plan following the second World War, ground limestone was made available at subsidised prices and this brought an end to domestic lime fertiliser production. Limestone is the principal bedrock over much of Ireland, although it is less usual in Northern Ireland, where Fermanagh and Tyrone are the main sources. (p.123, 345)

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/6/36/3 – Third Edition Ordnance Survey Map (1906)
2. PRONI OS/6/6/36/4 – Fourth Edition Ordnance Survey Map (1935)

Secondary Sources

Mitchell, F and Ryan, M “Reading the Irish Landscape”, Dublin: Town House, 1997

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Free-standing lime kiln, built c.1910. The structure remains largely unchanged, and its function can be clearly seen in the arrangement of openings. The kiln was probably used for agricultural purposes and represents the development of farming in the area. However, it is of a lesser quality than others in the district and the setting has been compromised. There are other, better, examples listed.