A Kilkenny group wants YOUR help with their latest project

The Lingaun Valley Tourism Group is calling on locals to help with their latest project. The group is planning to document the history of the Ormonde and Victoria Slatequarries and the series of smaller quarries that straddle the Lingaun River which predate the Ormonde and Victoria quarry complexes.

It is hoped that this ambitious project will result in the creation of two three-dimensional models, one featuring the Ormonde Quarry and Cutting Sheds which feature in photographs from 1914. The second model will feature the Victoria quarry complex and associated buildings. It is intended that these models, depicting the operational quarries, will be displayed in the locality alongside large scale maps dating from when the quarries were in production and will also feature any information, photographs and artifacts which come to light.

To help with this work the group is appealing to people in the communities of the surrounding area for any information, photographs, documents, maps, folklore, stories, facts and artifacts or leads on where such information may be found. They are seeking to preserve the history of the quarries and those who worked in them and create a fitting tribute in their memory.

Any documents, photographs or quarry artifact which may be considered family heirlooms could be photographed or scanned. The intention is to record and preserve the history and heritage of the quarries before it disappears. Even the smallest item will help us to weave the story of the quarries back to life.

Anyone with information of any kind regarding the Slatequarries and their hinterland or who would like to be involved in this project can contact any member of the quarry project committee: Richie Walsh (Tullahought), 087-9963355, walshtullahought@yahoo.co.uk; Noel Ryan (Windgap), 087-4036464, noelr1.nr@gmail.com; Edmond Cody (Ahenny), 087 4533572; edmond_cody@yahoo.co.uk; Pat O’Gorman (Skough), 087-9726276, patandjoanog@gmail.com; Noreen Burke Hayes (Windgap), 087-4186077, noreenburkehayes@gmail.com; Kate Moloney (Kiltrassy), 087-2050029, katiecoo@eircom.net.