slate

article on the process of photochrom: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photochrom "A litho stone is coated with a thin layer of purified bitumen dissolved in benzene. A reversed half-tone negative is then pressed against this light-sensitive coating and an exposure in daylight made (taking from 10–30 minutes in summer, to several hours in winter). The bitumen hardens and becomes resistant to normal solvents in proportion to the light. The coating is then washed in turpentine solutions, removing the unhardened bitumen. It is then retouched in the tonal scale of the chosen color to strengthen or soften the tones as required. Each tint needs a separate stone bearing the appropriate retouched image, and prints are usually produced by at least six, and more commonly from 10 to 15 tint stones.[4]"

This picture looks very much like its based on a painting that hangs in Penrhyn Castle that shows the labour force at work, that the richness of Penrhyn Castle was built off the back of.

Found the details of the painting. Its by Henry Hawkins painted in 1832 and features this same outstanding outcrop of rock.

www.artunframed.com/hawkins.htm The painting afore mentioned!

What a dramatic photo! The sheer scale of material mining is awesome. I found a historic description from the Institution of Mining Engineers (Great Britain). - 1903 - Technology & Engineering books.google.com/books?id=ufUQAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA675&l... Looks like the quarries near Carrick-on-Suir provided a lot of slate for roofing today www.killoranslate.ie/about-killoran-slate.php I imagine it was important building material for fencing, buildings, roads, etc. in the past as well, and I would imagine a lot of it being exported too. Some geological info on quarries in the vicinity www.gsi.ie/NR/rdonlyres/B8AACB00-8FD9-424D-A659-122E183F9... *see page 9 Perhaps others can shed more light? Fantastic photo, thank you for sharing!

wadiefong Thanks for that! Helped me to add a few more tags...

Did they find the contact lens he dropped????

david reece They're still looking! Will keep you posted...

The Health and Safety Authority would have a field day down there!!!!

Are those roofing slates in the foreground?

Yes, they're probably Liscannor Stone which is quarried in the surrounding area. This was shipped by the quarries from Liscannor pier which is how the stone got the name.

Liscannor Stone was most famous as flooring and paving. Killaloe slate was used for roofing. The streets of London were paved with Liscannor Stone. Also on very low tide you can see the hull of a ship laden with similar slabs half buried in the sand.

Liscannor stone was used for roofing some buildings around the area, there is one building in Lahinch which still has the big stones on the roof - the Cetlic T-shirt Shop.

The building with the sign on the right is a Smithy according to the Os 25 " map.