Minerals from Ireland

Ireland has a long history of mining, with evidence of mining going back to around 2000 BC as copper and alluvial gold were collected.

During the 16th and 17th centuries iron mining began in earnest, but copper and iron production exploded in the 18th and 19th centuries, spurned on by the needs of the industrial revolution in Britain.

During this period, lead, silver, copper and gold were exploited en masse, as was coal, slate, and pyrite.

Today, Ireland is perhaps best known for zinc and lead mining, and was previously one of the largest producers in Europe.

Decisions on a large modern gold mine are still ongoing, as are modern explorations for gemstones, and rare earth metals.

In terms of specimen minerals and gemstones, Ireland produces some fine ore minerals, such as pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, etc. Good quality native Gold can be found. I have also seen excellent specimens of fluorite, smithsonite, wavellite, etc.

Connemara Marble is classed as Irelands gemstone, a green banded marble from Connemara which was widely used in Irish jewellery and as a decorative building material.

For other specimens from Ireland, see the links below.

Ireland