Stone of KilkennyThe unique character of many of Kilkenny's ancient buildings is owed to the variety of beautiful stones, which were quarried locally. The following stones are all found in St. Canice's Cathedral and were quarried in medieval times in and around Kilkenny city: Kilkenny Limestone which was quarried around the medieval town. Most of it came from the Ballyadams formation which underlies the city. Cherty Limestone came from the overlying Clogrennan Formation, which forms rock faces on the low hills overlooking the city to the NW. Dolomite occurs throughout the limestones and was also quarried in the vicinity of the city. Major natural exposures occur along the River Nore just a few miles downstream from Kilkenny and were probably the source of the dolomite used by pre-Norman masons in the round tower in front of St. Canice's Cathedral. | Old Red Sandstoneis likely to have come from Thomastown to the SE of the city or from Coolagh Flags to the SW, both over 10 miles from the city. It was probably carried up the Nore by barge. Coolcullen Sandstone was used to restore the arcades of the transepts and the choir, and came from 11 miles NW of the city on the Castlecomer plateau. 
Kilkenny Black Marble was quarried at Archers Grove on the SE outskirts of the city. Other marbles used in St. Canice's Cathedral were quarried elsewhere in Ireland, some coming from as far away as Tuscany and Normandy.
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