Slate Quarries, Ahenny
Ahenny Slate Quarries, County Tipperary
Irish Landscape photography : Nigel borrington
Slate Quarries, Ahenny County Tipperary
The now disused slate quarry at Ahenny County Tipperary was quarried from the 14th Century onwards. Stone from this site was used in the building of Kell Priory in Kells and Ornmonde Castle in Carrick on Suir. The quarry now hosts an outdoor gallery of sculptures.
Located to the south of the village, the Victorian Slate Quarries is an area of both local and international history. Quarrying in the slate quarries of Tullahought were predominant during the reign of Queen Victoria. A large community was built up around the area which covers land in both Kilkenny and Tipperary. Tullahought shares its association with the quarries with the south Tipperary village of Ahenny, which claims the larger of the 3 lakes created by the quarrying of slate in the area.
In the mid 90’s, a yearly festival known as the “Slate Quarries Festival”. The first festival was marked with the creation of stunning works of art which were made entirely out of slate. The art work included the Miners Egg, The Weir, the Dinosaur and most notably, Noah’s arc which sat at the cliff edge over looking the lake.
The most notable building attributed to have the quarries slate is the Palace of Westminster in London (UK House of Parliament).
Gallery
Nigel Borrington 
Wonderful set, Nigel. First shot of the gallery is my favorite. See you.
April 1, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Wow! Nigel, you have managed to bring out the beauty in a slate quarry – kudos to you! And an interesting history lesson too. And of course, go Molly!! : ))
April 1, 2014 at 10:07 pm
Wonderful and evocative shots, Nigel. The work must have been hideous …
April 2, 2014 at 1:24 am
Stunning Nigel. Your posts always make me want to visit the locations.
April 2, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Your work is so stunning!
April 4, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Hello 🙂 🙂
Thank you , that’s very kind of you to say , very pleased you like it here 🙂 🙂 🙂
April 5, 2014 at 11:38 am
Yes I do. I’m certain you’re busy, so please don’t feel obligated to respond; but when there’s appreciation to be shown and something nice to say – I enjoy finding my voice to convey it. Have a beautiful and inspired day.
April 5, 2014 at 1:13 pm
Another aspect of Ireland which I have enjoyed – love the colours on the slate and the ball reminds me of the work of David Nash who works in wood
April 4, 2014 at 5:23 pm
Nigel, love these pics, located the quarry from a roadside today, but can you tell me who to contact to get access to it….
October 26, 2014 at 2:24 pm
Hello Alieen 🙂
Thank you 🙂 !
Well the genaral access is open for both the river area (left of the road !) and the Quary (Right!) , the powers family own the area and the house above the lake!
If you want you can ask them , but they have put clear sign’s everywhere that you walk around at you own risk!
October 26, 2014 at 2:42 pm
francis.keogh@tipperarycoco.ie
Unfortunatly you have only visited some of the quarries in the area we swim every summer in the quarry just above Ahenny wii post some pics if I can
November 17, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Hello Francis 🙂
Thank you , If your thinking of here https://nigelborrington.com/2013/06/28/kilkenny-slate-quarries/ its a great place , I have been in swimming here in the past and our dog is here many times during the year 🙂
Thank you 🙂
November 17, 2014 at 4:12 pm
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