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Earth Science Conservation Review
| Croreagh - Mineralogy - site of local interest | Down |
| Site number: | 719 | ||
| Locality Type: | Quarry (disused), Quarry (working) | Status: | local interest |
| Grid Reference: | J122291 Centroid | ||
| Google maps: | 54.19904,-6.28075 | ||
| County: | Down | Council area: | Newry, Mourne & Down District Council |
| Period: | Devonian | ||
| Lithostrat: | Newry Granodiorite | ||
| Site Description | |
|---|---|
| Highlights: | |
The site comprises one active quarry and several disused quarries, on a craggy hill in Croreagh Townland 5km NE of Newry, that expose mineralised sections of the Newry Granodiorite (Caledonian). Croreagh contains the only known occurrence of molybdenite in the Newry igneous complex and only the second occurrence of this mineral in Northern Ireland. | |
| Description: | |
The site comprises one active quarry and several disused quarries in Croreagh Townland, 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. 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. 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 also noted within the granodiorite. | |
| Importance: | |
The site is of scientific value as it provides the only known occurrence of the mineral molybdenite within the Newry igneous complex and only the second known locality of the mineral in Northern Ireland. | |
| Notes: | |
See also ESCR Key Site 554 - Croreagh, near Newry [Mineralogy and Metallogenesis Block]. | |
| Keywords | |
|---|---|
| Minerals: | Chalcopyrite, Epidote, Hematite, Magnetite, Molybdenite, Pyrite, Sphalerite, Sphene, Covellite, Pyrrhotite |
| Rocks: | Granodiorite |
| Products: | Building stone |
| Access | |
|---|---|
| Approach: | The site consists of several quarries in Croreagh Townland, 5km NE of Newry. |
| Uses | |
| Educ. Level: | The site is of limited educational value, although it would be of interest to research students and third level students of mineralogy and igneous petrology. |
| Record type: | SLNCI Report | ||
| Entered by: | E M Porter | ||
| Last updated: | 09/10/03 | ||
| Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Croreagh - Mineralogy - site of local interest, County Down, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=719. Accessed on 2026-11-06. |
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