Tinnakilly (Aughrim) Granite Quarries 
Heritage Site(s)
- County:
- Wicklow
- Townland:
- Tinakilly Upper
- Status:
- Inactive
- Primary Rock Type:
- Granite
- Start Date:
- 1851ca
- Owner/Operator(s):
- Brabazon, Anthony Windham Normand; Brabazon, Reginald le Normand; Brabazon, Reginald; Brabazon, William; Brabazon, John Chambré; 1851ca: Dixon Family; 1851ca-1898: Dixon, Martin; 1865: Edwards, Thomas; 1888: Dixon, George; 1911: Geoghegan, Murtha
- GSI Geoheritage Site Code:
- WW002
Part of:
Notes:
The quarries, known as Aughrim Quarries or Tinnakilly Quarries, were situated north-east of Aughrim on the estate of the Earls of Meath. They comprised three quarries situated close to one another. One of the quarries known as 'Edward's quarry' was opened by railway contractor Thomas Edward during the construction of the Shillelagh line (1865), and produced stone 'of very long scantling, and capable of long bearings' (Kinahan 1889, p. 419). Extraction ceased in 1952.
The quarries supplied buildings in Aughrim, which was known as the 'Granite Village'. They also supplied stone for Ardnacrusha Hydro-Electric Scheme in the 1920s and 450 tonnes for the foundations of Liverpool Cathedral in 1934. Many of the original stonemasons came from Wales and settled in Aughrim, leaving behind surnames such as Evans, Ellis and Fenton in the village. The quarry site was nominated as a County Geological Site by Geological Survey Ireland (See Geological Survey Ireland Report and Parkes et al. 2022, p. 52).