Home
Introduction
Geology of NI
Introduction to the database
ESCR site list
Map
Selected sites to visit
Additional NIEA information
Previous SiteNext Site

Earth Science Conservation Review

Summary Full report
Ladyhill QuarryAntrim
Site number:548
ESCC:EA
Locality Type:Quarry (working) Status: local interest
Grid Reference: J172916 Centroid
Google maps: 54.7591,-6.17941
County: AntrimCouncil area:Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
Period:Tertiary
Lithostrat:Antrim Lava Group, Upper Basalt Formation
Site Description
image: 0548a.jpg Ladyhill Quarry, Co.Antrim, May 1997.
Ladyhill Quarry, Co.Antrim, May 1997.
Highlights:
Tertiary basalt with variety of features and zeolite minerals.
Introduction:
Ladyhill is a large active quarry operated by Boville McMullan Ltd., who extract basalt from the Upper Basalt Formation for roadstone etc. The area of interest is the north side top bench, which is currently (1997) inactive as a lower bench is being developed. The east side of the quarry has not been worked for some time, and the quarry plant is located on the west side.
Description:
image: 0548b.jpg Ladyhill Quarry, Co.Antrim, May 1997: amygdaloidal basalt.
Ladyhill Quarry, Co.Antrim, May 1997: amygdaloidal basalt.
The area of interest comprises a 10-15m high quarry face and loose material on the quarry floor, in which well-crystallized zeolite minerals are found within vesicles. Zeolite species recorded include: thomsonite, natrolite, heulandite, analcime, chabazite, stilbite, and associated minerals apophyllite, calcite and saponite. The assemblage probably represents the analcime zone of Walker (1960).
Keywords
Minerals:Analcime, Calcite, Chabazite, Natrolite, Saponite, Stilbite, Thomsonite, Zeolites, Heulandite, Apophyllite
Rocks:Basalt
Products:Roadstone
Structures:vesicles
Measurements
Length:Width:Height:10-15m
Depth:Area:  
Access
Management:
Continued working of the quarry is necessary to ensure a supply of fresh material (zeolitic basalt decays such that quarry faces older than about 5 years are of limited value). Current quarry management permits visitors to this area; this should be encouraged.
Uses
Uses:Large, active quarry.
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. Ladyhill Quarry, County Antrim, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=548. Accessed on 2026-11-06.

Previous SiteNext Site
Finding out more
Acknowledgments
Habitas
© National Museums NI 2003-24