The Connemara Marble

It is named after the region in the western part of the country in which it is quarried.

The connemara marble.

It is commonly used as a gemstone and for decorations. It is one of the world s oldest minerals and rarest marble in the world. Due to its colouration it is commonly associated with the irish identity. We own and operate the oldest marble quarry which was first opened in the 19th century and visited in 1903 by king edward vii and queen alexandra during the royal tour of connemara.

Its use in jewellery can be regarded as one of ireland s indigenous industries and the quarrying of connemara marble is a centuries old endeavour. Connemara marble can only be found in connemara in west of ireland. Connemara marble is over 900 million years old and is unique to ireland. The stone exhibits intricate millimetre to metre scale corrugated layers that range from white through sepias to various shades of green.

Connemara marble was formed from sediment deposited in a shallow primal sea over 600 million years ago. View all restaurants near connemara marble visitor s center on tripadvisor. It strongly resembles the verd antique found in the mediterranean. No two pieces of connemara marble are identical making each piece totally unique.

These sediments were transformed by formidable forces generated in the formation of the mountains of the west of ireland and scotland over 390 million years ago. Restaurants near connemara marble visitor s center.