Lime Kiln, Mooneen

There was a time when most farms in rural Ireland had their own lime kilns.

Kilns consisted of a bowl and a flue. Crushed limestone was placed in the bowl and burnt, producing lime for use as fertiliser in the fields and also for whitewashing the cottages and houses. Most of the lime kilns around the country have been destroyed and only rare examples survive.

The site at Mooneen, Louisburgh is a fine example of its type to be found in this area and has survived in its entirety. Lime kilns date from the 18th Century and in some areas were in use up until the 1940s.

The Lime Kiln at Mooneen is now part of the Clew Bay Archaeological trail and is well worth a visit.

For more information on the archaeological trail visit  www.clewbaytrail.com

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