Metalworking site in Slaheny

In his unpublished papers, Sir William Petty recorded that 'the old furnace was at Slaheny, half a mile south of Ardtully' (Barnard 1982, 4). This is likely to be the ancient ironworks revived by Sir William Petty, but which was then declining, which was mentioned in 1687 by Sir Richard Cox in his description of Kerry (de Brún 1972, 36). Cox noted that the barony of Glanarought had but one small market town, called Glanerough, and that the ironworks was near it (ibid.). Apart from Kenmare, Kilgarvan is the only town in Glanarought and the townland of Slaheny is c. 1km SW of it. The precise location of the ironworking site in Slaheny townland, however, is not known. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 May 2011