Connemara Marble

Dating from the Pre-Cambrian era, Connemara marble is over 600 million years old. It is found only in a remote area in the West of Ireland. It is a metamorphic rock formed when limestone was heated under pressure, producing a hard granular rock. Its unique green color symbolizes Ireland and is caused by the presence of various elements. It is said to bring serenity to those who keep it close.  One can find Connemara marble in fine jewelry, religious ornaments, and a multitude of construction products.

Connemara in County Galway, is one of the most scenic areas of Ireland. As with most of Galway, Connemara's history goes back thousands of years. Local archaeologist, Michael Gibbons, describes finding a Bann spearhead in Streamstown dating about 7,000 years old. It was a rare and wonderful find as the people of that era were known to be nomadic hunter gatherers. Other sites found in the area suggest the change over from the nomadic lifestyle to that of farming communities.

Connemara's coast is very rugged and it has a wealth of lovely beaches, little islands and harbors. The area around Clifden, the main town in Connemara, is rich with megalithic tombs. The famous green/white Connemara Marble was a trade treasure still used by the inhabitants and it continues to be of great value today.

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