History of Kilkenny Marble

Kilkenny marble is a hard, dark limestone. It was formed in the geological time known as the Carboniferous period - over 350 million years ago. At that time warm tropical shallow seas covered the area which is now Ireland. Abundant shelly sea-creatures such as crinoids(sea lillies) bivalves and corals thrived. When these creatures died their shelly parts remained. Over millions of years these built up, became compressed and eventually formed the hard dark limestone we know today. It has been quarried in Kilkenny for hundreds of years and gives Kilkenny its name, The Marble City. It is reputed to bring luck to those who keep it near them.