Old Slate Quarry
Old Slate Quarry
4
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4.0
99 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
34
Average
20
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Hanna
4 contributions
Aug 2022
We got there thanks to a map of the island that mentioned the place - it seemed interesting. However, when we got there, there were only two other cars there and basically no signs. When we walked to the cave mouth, there were workers inside, a lot of noise, one sign about the history of the place, and nothing else. We had no idea that we could have had the possibility of going inside - it looked as if it was closed thanks to the workers but there was no mention of either. Wasn't worth the ride there as we missed the Geokaun mountains due to time restraints - should have skipped this to go and see the mountains. If this really is as good as everyone else's reviews suggest, needs a lot better information to guide the visitors.
Written 4 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Four Points Travel
League City, TX129 contributions
Nov 2019
If you are on the island, you should certainly make this one of the stops. The drive up is easy and well marked with spectacular views along the way. Site has easy parking, and descriptive plaques to tell you all about the history of the place. You wont need much time, but still worth it.
Written 30 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teresa G
42 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Went here not really knowing what to expect. What a very interesting place to visit. The guy who was young but his knowledge was brill and so nice. Took us into the quarry and watching lads working and how it all works. Def worth a trip if in Valentina island. He was saying putting cafe in there next year and the view from there amazing. Beautiful statue of our lady also up in the quarry.
Written 19 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moylough79
61 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Unexpected trip, never visited a quarry before so didn't know what to expect..thoroughly enjoyed it. Very knowledgeable and witty tour guide! Great value and cool to see the operations in action.
Written 8 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wendymagz
Matamata, New Zealand1,490 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
The Slate Quarry first opened in 1816 and has been a working quarry on and off since then. The quality of the slate quarried, is so good that it has been used for places like the Paris Opera House and London’s Houses of Parliament and today it’s used for counter tops, tables, roof slate etc. A rock fall closed the mine in 1910, it remained abandoned until 1954 when statues of Our Lady and Bernadette where placed high above the quarry entrance. Various events, including a yearly community mass, are held here – a ladder was built to reach the statues from the ground but only those with a head for heights were able to complete the journey up! The quarry was reopened a number of years ago and Valentia Island slate is again being exported around the world along thus providing local employment. The day we visited here, it was pelting with rain so we didn’t see the place at its best, but it’s quite unique and well worth a visit.
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Written 20 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim H
Western Ireland, Ireland81 contributions
Sept 2018 • Business
Excellent location with panoramic views of the South Kerry coastline, a grotto and a working slate quarry / mine - the last working slate quarry in Ireland.
Written 30 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pauline872
Western Ireland, Ireland17 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
The walk up to the Slate Quarry from Knightstown through the lovely flora and fauna was a very pleasurable one and not at all arduous. I am 70 and managed it with ease. The views are breathtaking and reaching the summit at the slate quarry with the lovely Marion shrine made it all worth while.
Written 21 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AAdventures
Dublin, Ireland332 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
The Slate Quarry is an extremely interesting place on the island.
Well worth a visit.
Only note would be information of the history of the quarry is not provided - something that would have interested us.
Well worth a visit.
Only note would be information of the history of the quarry is not provided - something that would have interested us.
Written 15 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DonBXX
Millsboro, DE119 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
I can’t say enough about this excursion on the island. All three of the views were mind blowing. A must see in all of Ireland.
Written 2 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice
Belgooly, Ireland23 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
The scenery is great going up.
With all the old famine houses.
Then you see the grotto in the middle know where.
Worth seeing.
With all the old famine houses.
Then you see the grotto in the middle know where.
Worth seeing.
Written 2 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
On our first trip to Valentia Island,we were directed by a travel guide to travel west once we crossed the bridge to the island. We told to drive to the 'end of the road, open the farmer's gate, and continue on the dirt road to the coast'. This was on the far-west end of the island. There we passed a firepit with the rusted hulk of a military jeep next to it, and arrived at a vast field of slate pieces. The entire area appeared to be comprised of slate. In the distance (also to the west), we could see very large breakers off the ocean hitting the shore. The stark beauty of the area was overwhelming and we walked around the area for almost an hour before returning to our rental vehicle and returning to the Ring of Kerry route. After reading the current information regarding the slate quarry, we appear to have been directed to a totally different area on the island. I captured the highlights of the visited area on 35mm film.
On our return trip next year, the Valentia Island slate quarry was a 'must-see' return visit.
Henry Goodman
Written 13 August 2016
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