Burning of Lime-Kilns

transcribed at

Burning of Lime-Kilns  [duchas:4866782]

Burning of Lime Kilns
There are four lime kilns in this district.  A lime kiln is about seven feet wide at the top, eighteen feet deep, and eighteen inches in diameter in bottom immediately over fire place.  It is lined from the bottom with firebrick, gradually getting larger until it reaches the top.
How the stone is burned into lime is as follows:-
A fire is made at the bottom in the eye of the kiln on the outside.  The stones are broken about the size of a goose egg.  On the top of the fire a layer of stones is placed about four inches in height, then a layer of culm on top of these, and so on until every second round until the top is reached.  The top of the kiln is 'walked' and packed with the box of a wheel put on a strong timber handle

Burning of Lime-Kilns  [duchas:4866783]

Then of course the fire being below, it burns gradually up along.  the lime is drawn twice a day and the kiln dressed on top with an adequate amount of stones in proportion to how much it has fallen as the lime is drawn underneath.  Every second layer of stones and culm being placed.  This course could continue by being attentive to it for one year.  It is only limestone can be burned into lime, brownstone would not be suitable.
Written by: Mary Heney, Toureen, Cahir, Co. tipp
Told by: Timothy Heney (60), Toureen, Cahir, Co. Tipperary