Quarry Redevelopment

Valentia Slate Quarry has been in development for over 200 years. In that time, large underground spaces (the old and new quarries) have been created deep in Geokaun Mountain. These large spaces have been largely unused since they have been made. This is a lost opportunity for useful and sustainable economic activity and with this in mind, the directors of Valentia Slate Company Ltd have investigated what uses the underground and surface property of the quarry can be put to, in addition to the continuation of quarrying. In this, they have engaged Grafton Architects to assist and to suggest an overall scheme of redevelopment. The company is very pleased and excited to be working with Grafton and is very confident that a redevelopment of the quarry will be a major positive addition to the already excellent sights and amenities that Valentia has to offer. For the moment, and for discussion purposes only, the proposals are as follows:

Whiskey Distillery & Maturation

The interior 150m of the old quarry has been used only for storage since quarrying activity ceased there about 1890. This is a space of about 150x15x15 metres with good access, a stable temperature and, for obvious reasons, very fire safe. There is also an alcove of about 20x10m off of the main quarry chamber. This combined space is very suitable for the installation of a craft whisky distillery and the storage of maturing whisky casks. This use would continue the storage use of the space and would be a valuable new economic activity for Valentia.

No new excavation of rock is proposed and the historic mid-19th Century space would be fully conserved. This use as an underground distillery and maturation space would be unique in Ireland and perhaps in the world and would for that reason be of interest to both domestic and international visitors. The design of the storage will not be simply pallets of casks stacked uniformly. The intention is to arrange the casks and the lighting in a way that retains the atmosphere of this historic 19th Century underground quarry.

Whiskey Distillery & Maturation

The interior 150m of the old quarry has been used only for storage since quarrying activity ceased there about 1890. This is a space of about 150x15x15 metres with good access, a stable temperature and, for obvious reasons, very fire safe. There is also an alcove of about 20x10m off of the main quarry chamber. This combined space is very suitable for the installation of a craft whisky distillery and the storage of maturing whisky casks. This use would continue the storage use of the space and would be a valuable new economic activity for Valentia.

No new excavation of rock is proposed and the historic mid-19th Century space would be fully conserved. This use as an underground distillery and maturation space would be unique in Ireland and perhaps in the world and would for that reason be of interest to both domestic and international visitors. The design of the storage will not be simply pallets of casks stacked uniformly. The intention is to arrange the casks and the lighting in a way that retains the atmosphere of this historic 19th Century underground quarry.

Whiskey maturation Ireland

A concert and event space

The outer part of the old quarry is a cathedral-like space excavated from the solid rock which has good light and is out of the elements. A natural waterfall into the middle of the space adds to the peaceful but impressive ambience. It is proposed to remove the existing sheds, offices and stone processing equipment from this space and to install a new floor surface. The walls, which clearly show the techniques used by the quarry workers of 150 years ago, will be cleaned but will be otherwise left untouched. Some fully considered lighting will be added for use at night. The space can then be used for concerts, theatre and community events such as the grotto mass. There are several examples in Northern Italy and the South of France of disused quarries being repurposed very successfully in this way.

The new quarry

Since the early 1900’s quarrying operations have taken place in the new quarry which is parallel to the old quarry mentioned above and currently accessed from the old quarry along a relatively new transverse passage. It is proposed to reopen the existing blocked entrance to the new quarry by removing fallen rock and to also move all stone processing equipment to the new quarry. This will allow more efficient production of Valentia Slate and the installation of new facilities for staff.

A concert and event space

The outer part of the old quarry is a cathedral-like space excavated from the solid rock which has good light and is out of the elements. A natural waterfall into the middle of the space adds to the peaceful but impressive ambience. It is proposed to remove the existing sheds, offices and stone processing equipment from this space and to install a new floor surface. The walls, which clearly show the techniques used by the quarry workers of 150 years ago, will be cleaned but will be otherwise left untouched. Some fully considered lighting will be added for use at night. The space can then be used for concerts, theatre and community events such as the grotto mass. There are several examples in Northern Italy and the South of France of disused quarries being repurposed very successfully in this way.

The new Quarry

Since the early 1900’s quarrying operations have taken place in the new quarry which is parallel to the old quarry mentioned above and currently accessed from the old quarry along a relatively new transverse passage. It is proposed to reopen the existing blocked entrance to the new quarry by removing fallen rock and to also move all stone processing equipment to the new quarry. This will allow more efficient production of Valentia Slate and the installation of new facilities for staff.

Valentia concert venue

The Grotto

The Marian Grotto at the quarry entrance was installed by a large and concerted effort of the local community in the Marian Year of 1954. It has become a well-known and valued part of the Island’s heritage and attracts many visitors, principally in the summer. This redevelopment project appreciates the cultural heritage and special place that Holy Wells and Grottos play in Ireland’s history (not only religious history) and the project will keep those values in its focus throughout the redevelopment of the site. A local parish committee works hard to maintain the grotto and some initial consultations with that committee and well as with the Kerry Diocese have taken place since 2019. The question therefore must be considered, as part of the quarry redevelopment process, as to whether the grotto is to be involved. For discussion purposes only, the following three points show the range of possibilities that might exist in principle for its involvement:

Possibility 1

Leave the grotto as it is now, both the structures at ground level and the statues. This has the advantage of not disturbing a well-known local devotional landmark. However, it does not address the need for ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the grotto, the well-known and ongoing danger of rockfall onto the grotto grounds from the cliffs overhead, the very uncertain legal position relating to the landowner’s duty of care to visitors to the grotto and the lack of sanitary facilities at the site.

Possibility 2

Allow the statues of Mary and Bernadette to remain as they are now but remove the ground level structures so that events and visitors can experience the historic quarry space as it was before the grotto was constructed. The quarry proposes under this scenario to provide a new demountable altar and permanent facilities (including toilet facilities) for devotional visitors, to arrange for legally guaranteed public access to the grotto, for the use of the interior space of the quarry for religious events such as the annual mass and for liability insurance cover to be put in place. The danger of rockfall will also be dealt with by the quarry.

Possibility 3

Relocate the grotto to an existing underground space between the old and new quarries which would be transformed into a dedicated indoor grotto chamber. A new grotto in this intimate church-like underground space would allow a reimaging of the idea of the Lourdes or Marian grotto for the 21st Century, perhaps for the 70th anniversary of the grotto in 2024. In this scenario, the quarry would arrange for legally guaranteed free public access to this grotto, for liability cover to be put in place and to fully maintain the site. The company would also work with the local Parish and with the Kerry Diocese to ensure that the new grotto would be of the highest artistic and religious value. It is anticipated that this option could function to show that this type of devotional religious activity retains its relevance in the 21st century and that such religious sites can find value in renewal. Such a grotto would be a very popular visitor attraction for all visitors to Valentia.

There are also possibilities for a gradual transition over time from the second to the third option.

Overall, a renewal of the grotto could reinforce the idea that religion is not declining in Kerry/Ireland, that the administration of such sites can be forward thinking and progressive while remaining true to their origins and that a new 21st century grotto at Valentia would be a global exemplar for religious renewal.

Possibility 1

Leave the grotto as it is now, both the structures at ground level and the statues. This has the advantage of not disturbing a well-known local devotional landmark. However, it does not address the need for ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the grotto, the well-known and ongoing danger of rockfall onto the grotto grounds from the cliffs overhead, the very uncertain legal position relating to the landowner’s duty of care to visitors to the grotto and the lack of sanitary facilities at the site.

Possibility 2

Allow the statues of Mary and Bernadette to remain as they are now but remove the ground level structures so that events and visitors can experience the historic quarry space as it was before the grotto was constructed. The quarry proposes under this scenario to provide a new demountable altar and permanent facilities (including toilet facilities) for devotional visitors, to arrange for legally guaranteed public access to the grotto, for the use of the interior space of the quarry for religious events such as the annual mass and for liability insurance cover to be put in place. The danger of rockfall will also be dealt with by the quarry.

Possibility 3

Relocate the grotto to an existing underground space between the old and new quarries which would be transformed into a dedicated indoor grotto chamber. A new grotto in this intimate church-like underground space would allow a reimaging of the idea of the Lourdes or Marian grotto for the 21st Century, perhaps for the 70th anniversary of the grotto in 2024. In this scenario, the quarry would arrange for legally guaranteed free public access to this grotto, for liability cover to be put in place and to fully maintain the site. The company would also work with the local Parish and with the Kerry Diocese to ensure that the new grotto would be of the highest artistic and religious value. It is anticipated that this option could function to show that this type of devotional religious activity retains its relevance in the 21st century and that such religious sites can find value in renewal. Such a grotto would be a very popular visitor attraction for all visitors to Valentia.

There are also possibilities for a gradual transition over time from the second to the third option.

Overall, a renewal of the grotto could reinforce the idea that religion is not declining in Kerry/Ireland, that the administration of such sites can be forward thinking and progressive while remaining true to their origins and that a new 21st century grotto at Valentia would be a global exemplar for religious renewal.

Parking

The outside spaces of the quarry have for many years provided more than adequate parking space for the many visitors who visit the quarry on a fine summer’s day. The company intends to improve on this existing use by installing a better surface and bike parking facilities.

Consultation

This proposal is at an early stage of development. We invite comments and suggestions from anyone with an interest in this. It is intended to apply for planning permission in due course as required and the information gathered in this informal consultation will inform the redevelopment plans. Another formal phase of consultation will form part of any planning application process including public information events. Please email your comments or suggestions to: info@valentiaslate.com

Parking

The outside spaces of the quarry have for many years provided more than adequate parking space for the many visitors who visit the quarry on a fine summer’s day. The company intends to improve on this existing use by installing a better surface and bike parking facilities.

Consultation

This proposal is at an early stage of development. We invite comments and suggestions from anyone with an interest in this. It is intended to apply for planning permission in due course as required and the information gathered in this informal consultation will inform the redevelopment plans. Another formal phase of consultation will form part of any planning application process including public information events. Please email your comments or suggestions to: info@valentiaslate.com