Discover Harrylock

Harrylock is associated with the history of millstone working. The millstone quarry and the historic transport of the stones give the place a clear focus for travellers interested in craftsmanship and industrial history. The local story stretches from working the stone to loading it at the shore.

Millstone Quarry and Stoneworking

Surviving traces bear witness to a once-thriving industry. The Harrylock millstone quarry also features stonemasons’ initials carved into the Old Red Sandstone. The sandstone found there was used to make millstones. Farmers and fishermen acquired stoneworking skills; these were passed down through generations and then applied to making millstones. In the Harrylock area, stoneworking was an important source of employment from the mid-17th to the mid-19th century.

The first known mention of the quarry is in the Loftus Papers of 1736. In this context, it formed part of a marriage agreement between Nicholas Loftus and Mary Hume of Fermanagh. The 1771 map entry offers a different perspective: the Loftus estate maps show a farm in Harrylock with a millstone quarry.

From Quarry to Landing Stage

A natural landing stage in Harrylock, locally called the “ould key”, was used to allow boats to come as close to shore as possible to load their cargo. At low tide, the millstones were moved to the side of the landing stage; as the tide came in, they were secured beneath a small boat. This process links stoneworking with the subsequent transport of the finished millstones.

More Destinations in County Wexford

County Wexford also offers destinations with their own historical and scenic highlights. The Irish National Heritage Park is an open-air museum set across 35 acres, with 16 reconstructed sites. Activities, reconstructions, workshops and courses are aimed at visitors of all ages.

At Hook Lighthouse, at the tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford, guided tours explore 800 years of lighthouse history. Check the current tour and booking conditions before making plans.

Tintern Cistercian Abbey in County Wexford was founded around 1200 by William, Earl Marshal. It lies in a special nature reserve and is surrounded by woodland with walking trails. Ferns Castle was built around 1200 by William, Earl Marshall; the Ferns Tapestry is 15 metres long and consists of 25 panels.

At Curracloe Beach, a nature trail winds through the dunes and introduces visitors to the local flora and fauna. Its landscape offers a different character from the woodland trails at Tintern Cistercian Abbey.

Discover more destinations: Waterford, Lismore, Woodstown, Aird Mhór, Cappoquin, Dungarvan, Rathgormack, Tramore.

For the broader travel overview: Waterford.