Ballyduff Limestone Quarries 
Heritage Site(s)
- County:
- Offaly
- Townland:
- Srah
- Status:
- Active
- Primary Rock Type:
- Limestone
- Start Date:
- Owner/Operator(s):
- Messrs. Fitzpatrick and Molloy; 1860: Coote, Sir Charles; 1903: Kennedy, William; 1903: Carroll, Dan
Notes:
One mile N.W. of Tullamore at Ballyduff there were very extensive limestone quarries of superior quality where large blocks could be worked. One is located at Ballyduff House, another just east of it, and another at Ballydrohid Bridge where it is bisected by the railway line. Some beds contained an abundance of crinoids while others exhibited a cloudy texture; these beds were preferable for polishing purposes.
In 1865 the price of superior rough finish Ballyduff stone delivered in Dublin was 1s. 6d. per cubic foot. Chiselled ashlar was approx. 2s. 6d. per superficial foot, and 4 inch thich tombstones were about 2s. per superficial foot. The weight of Ballyduff limestone per cubic foot is 168 lbs. (information communicated by Messrs. Fitzpatrick and Molloy to GSI map surveyors in 1865).
In 1883 at the Dublin Exhibition it won first prize. There are still active limestone quarries in Ballyduff north of the original Victorian quarries.