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Earth Science Conservation Review

Summary Full report
Keenaghan - MineralogyFermanagh
Site number:543
ESCC:EO
Locality Type:Crags, Road cutting Status: local interest
Grid Reference: G982597 Centroid
Google maps: 54.4862,-8.02775
County: FermanaghCouncil area:Fermanagh & Omagh District Council
Lithostrat:Ballyshannon Limestone Formation
Site Description
image: 0543a.jpg Keenaghan, Co.Fermanagh: road cut on A47showing mineralised limestone.
Keenaghan, Co.Fermanagh: road cut on A47showing mineralised limestone.
Highlights:
Dolomitized and silicified limestone with crystals of quartz, dolomite, calcite and rare copper sulphides.
Introduction:
This locality comprises roadside exposures 3.5km east of Belleek on the A47 road to Kesh. The exposures are located on the inside bend of a sharp corner where the road swings south through a topographic ridge formed by silicified and dolomitized limestones of the Ballyshannon Limestone Formation. At this locality, Waulsortian reef limestones are indicated on the GSNI 1:250,000 Geological Map of Northern Ireland.
Description:
image: 0543b.jpg Keenaghan, Co.Fermanagh: quartz-lined vugs in dolomite rock.
Keenaghan, Co.Fermanagh: quartz-lined vugs in dolomite rock.
Dolomitized and silicified limestone, with crystals of quartz, dolomite and calcite in vugs, occur in 3-4m high crags and in loose material created by blasting of the outcrops during road construction work. The well formed, colourless quartz crystals are often doubly terminated and reach 1cm in length. Dolomite forms yellowish, saddle-shaped crystals up to 8mm across. White calcite occurs as dogtooth crystals up to 1cm in length.
image: 0543c.jpg Keenaghan, Co.Fermanagh: quartz vugs in silicified limestone east of road.
Keenaghan, Co.Fermanagh: quartz vugs in silicified limestone east of road.
Occasional crystals of pyrite, chalcopyrite and bornite have been found in this material, and also in float specimens of vuggy quartz on the opposite (east) side of the road where the ridge continues for c.100m. During the site visit (1997), no evidence was found in this area of the ‘shaft’ indicated on the old 1:50,000 O.S. map.
Importance:
This is an easily accessible site (although cars must be parked away from the dangerous bend), which illustrates hydrothermal alteration of limestone and the crystallisation of dolomite, quartz and traces of copper-iron sulphides. It has been visited for educational purposes by Queen’s University students and as part of a conference excursion.
Notes:
See also Key Site 218 - Keenaghan Lough.
Keywords
Minerals:Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Dolomite, Pyrite, Quartz, Bornite
Rocks:Dolomite, Limestone
Structures:vugh
Access
Approach:This easily accessible locality comprises roadside exposures 3.5km east of Belleek on the A47 road to Kesh.
Management:
It is desirable that vegetation (e.g. bracken, gorse) is periodically cleared otherwise it will progressively obscure the exposures and loose material.
Uses
Educ. Level:Undergraduate.
Record type: ESCR report Recorded by: R. Nawaz and N.R. Moles
Entered by: E M Porter
Last updated:07 MAY 68
 Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Keenaghan - Mineralogy, County Fermanagh, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=543. Accessed on 2026-11-06.

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