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Earth Science Conservation Review

Summary Full report
Croreagh - MineralogyDown
Site number:554
ESCC:EA
Locality Type:Quarry (disused), Quarry (working) Status: local interest
Grid Reference: J122291 Centroid
Google maps: 54.19904,-6.28075
County: DownCouncil area:Newry, Mourne & Down District Council
Period:Devonian
Lithostrat:Newry Granodiorite
Site Description
image: 0554a.jpg Croreagh, near Newry, Co.Down, May 1997: active quarry.
Croreagh, near Newry, Co.Down, May 1997: active quarry.
Highlights:
Newry granodiorite noted for molybdenite occurrence.
Description:
The site comprises one active quarry and several disused quarries in Croreagh Townland, a craggy hill located 5km NE of Newry. The molybdenite occurrence at this site was noted by Meighan et al. (1979) as being unique in the Newry igneous complex and only the second occurrence in Northern Ireland. The occurrence was on joint surfaces on loose blocks in the southern quarry, formerly the largest quarry at the site. Meighan and Ixer (1980) detail the mineralogy and paragenesis of the occurrence, noting that pyrite, chalcopyrite, magnetite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, hematite and covellite occur in addition to molybdenite.

image: 0554b.jpg Croreagh, near Newry, Co.Down, May 1997: landfilled quarry.
Croreagh, near Newry, Co.Down, May 1997: landfilled quarry.
Unfortunately, in the mid-1990s this quarry was landfilled to the original land surface and the occurrence has been lost. However, similar features to those described by Meighan et al. (1979) were noted in the northern quarry, which is accessed via a lane from the Glenvale Road. This quarry appears to be worked on an occasional basis for building stone. Epidote veins (alteration along joints) up to 2cm thick occur with occasional well-developed crystal faces in cavities.
image: 0554c.jpg Croreagh, near Newry, Co.Down, May 1997: molybdenite in epidote vein.
Croreagh, near Newry, Co.Down, May 1997: molybdenite in epidote vein.
One example of molybdenite, occurring as a 2x2mm mass within an epidote vein, was observed in a boulder on the quarry floor. Pyrite is common on other joint surfaces. Brown crystals of sphene up to 2mm in length were noted within the granodiorite.
Notes:
See also SLNCI Key Site 719 - Croreagh.
Keywords
Minerals:Chalcopyrite, Epidote, Hematite, Magnetite, Molybdenite, Pyrite, Sphalerite, Sphene, Covellite, Pyrrhotite
Rocks:Granodiorite
Products:Building stone
Access
Management:
Intermittently active quarries. Continued commercial working on a small scale is desirable to maintain fresh rock. Occasional visits should be made (e.g. 2-yearly) to monitor the site and recover specimen material that would otherwise be lost.
Uses
Uses:One active quarry and several disused quarries.
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. Croreagh - Mineralogy, County Down, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=554. Accessed on 2026-11-06.

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