Clay Pits (Disused)

Late 19th century brickworks known as the Cork Brick Manufacturing Company on site of earlier unmechanized brickworks (The Irish Builder, March 27,1902); closed down in 1913 (Cork Examiner, 1977). Grass-covered foundations of building is all that survives of complex indicated on 1902 OS 6-inch map, except for one range of brick built buildings on W side. These consist of a single-storey structure (long axis N-S) with low brick arch in N wall ofinterior flanked by doors which lead to lean-to (L 2.75m; Wth 2.4m). According to local information, this lean-to was 'drying house'. Also noted were brick entrance piers, several ornate ceramic tiles and a hand bellows. In 1901 aerial ropeway constructed to transport bricks cross-country to Ballinhassig railway station 3 miles to NW; some of the support piers survive. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009