DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
DECLARATION OF AREA OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST AT
CAMLOUGH QUARRY, COUNTY ARMAGH. ARTICLE 28 OF THE
ENVIRONMENT (NORTHERN IRELAND) ORDER 2002.
The Department of the Environment (the Department), having consulted the Council
for Nature Conservation and the Countryside and being satisfied that the area
described and delineated on the attached map (the area) is of special scientific interest
by reason of its geological features and accordingly needs to be specially protected,
hereby declares the area to be an area of special scientific interest to be known as the
'Camlough Quarry Area of Special Scientific Interest'.
The area is of special scientific interest because of its geology, which is seen in
outcrop at a disused quarry on the west side of Camlough Mountain.
The Slieve Gullion volcanic complex, of which Camlough Quarry is a part, is the
finest example of a Palaeogene igneous centre in Ireland and is among the best
topographic expressions of a ring-dyke system in the British Isles. The rocks found
here are of international geological importance, having played an important role in a
number of theories related to the development of and interaction between igneous
rocks.
The Slieve Gullion complex developed in an area of crustal weakness, previously
exploited by the much older Newry granite, around 400 million years ago. In
Palaeogene times, some 56 - 58 million years ago, it was the site of a major volcano of
which there is now little evidence. Subsidence of this central unit was related to a
ring fault, some 20 km in diameter, the latter providing a natural weakness exploited
by intrusive igneous rocks. This produced the ring-dyke complex which has been
exposed, through erosion of the softer surrounding rocks, to reveal the near-circular
system known as the Ring of Gullion.
The final phase saw activity return to the central area with apparently layered igneous
rocks, both acid and basic in nature. Past debate on the formation of the central
complex has been largely resolved. The layered structure apparent today appears to
have developed as a series of igneous units intruded or injected into pre-existing
rocks, rather than building up as a succession of extruded rock bodies.
The Slieve Gullion complex is historically important as it has featured in a number of
major geological debates on the nature of igneous rocks and the processes by which
they can be formed.
Camlough Quarry exposes the older country rocks which are the turbidites of Silurian
age (here melted and fused by the intrusion of the Newry granodiorite and altered into
a hornfels) and the late Caledonian age Newry granodiorite itself. The site contains
evidence of the complex relationships between highly deformed (sheared) contact
metamorphosed Silurian rocks and the Newry Igneous Complex.
An Agcnc,' '1fit.hln the Dep..artment of the
Northern Ireland
Environment
Environment
Agency
The quarry face also exposes the inner wall of the younger Palaeogene age ring dyke
(here consisting of a porphyritic granophyre). The intrusion is partially fault
controlled, thereby providing evidence in support of the theory that the Slieve Gullion
Ring Dyke was emplaced in a ring fracture generated during Palaeogene deformation.
A late phase of movement along the fault has produced both crush-banded rocks
known as mylonites and shattered angular rocks known as the Camlough Breccias.
This location provides a fuller understanding of the geological history of the Slieve
Gullion Ring complex.
SCHEDULE
The following operations and activities appear to the Department to be likely to
damage the geological features of the area:
1. Any activity or operation which involves the damage or disturbance by any
means of the surface and subsurface of the land, including ploughing,
rotovating, harrowing, reclamation and extraction of minerals, including sand,
gravel and peat.
2. The storage or dumping, spreading or discharge of any material.
3. Changes in tree or woodland management, including afforestation, planting,
clearing, selective felling and coppicing.
4. Construction, removal or disturbance of any permanent or temporary structure
including building, engineering or other operations.
5. Alteration of natural or man-made features, the clearance of boulders or stones
and grading of rock faces.
6. The following activities undertaken in a manner likely to damage the interest
of the area:
i) educational activities;
ii) research activities;
iii) recreational activities;
7. Sampling of rocks, minerals, fossils or any other material forming a part of the
site, undertaken in a manner likely to damage the scientific interest.
8. Use of vehicles or craft likely to damage the interest of the area.
FOOTNOTES
(a) Please note that consent by the Department to any ofthe operations or activities
listed in the Schedule does not constitute planning permission. Where required,
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planning permission must be applied for in the usual manner to the Department under
Part IV of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991. Operations or activities
covered by planning permission are not normally covered in the list of Notifiable
Operations.
(b) Also note that many of the operations and activities listed in the Schedule are
capable of being carried out either on a large scale or in a very small way. While it is
impossible to define exactly what is "large" and what is "small", the Department
would intend to approach each case in a common sense and practical way. It is very
unlikely that small scale operations would give rise for concern and ifthis was the
case the Department would normally give consent, particularly if there is a long
history of the operation being undertaken in that precise location.
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CAMLOUGH QUARRY
Views About Management
The Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 Article 28(2)
A statement of the Department's views about the management of Camlough
Quarry Area of Special Scientific Interest ("the ASSI")
This statement represents the views ofthe Department about the management ofthe
ASSI for nature conservation. This statement sets out, in principle, our views on how
the area's special conservation interest can be conserved and enhanced. The
Department has a duty to notify the owners and occupiers of the ASSI of its views
about the management of the land.
Not all of the management principles will be equally appropriate to all parts ofthe
ASSI and there may be other management activities, additional to our current views,
which can be beneficial to the conservation and enhancement ofthe features of
interest. It is also very important to recognise that management may need to change
with time.
The management views set out below do not constitute consent for any operation or
activity. The written consent of the Department is still required before carrying out
any operation or activity likely to damage the features of special interest (see the
Schedule on page 2 for a list of these operations and activities). The Department
welcomes consultation with owners, occupiers and users of the ASSI to ensure that
the management of this area maintains and enhances the features of interest, and to
ensure that all necessary prior consents are obtained.
MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
The earth science interest at Camlough Quarry occurs as rock exposures in the faces
of a disused quarry. The Department would encourage the maintenance ofthe ASSI
and its earth science interest.
The geological series
Provided no damaging activities, as set out in the Schedule (page 2), are undertaken
without consent, the needs of owners, occupiers and the Department can be met.
Earth science features such as those at Camlough Quarry may require occasional
management intervention in order to maintain access to, and exposure of, the
geology. This could include selective removal of vegetation or any major build up
of loose rock.
Specific objectives include:
Maintain the geological series in an undamaged state.
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Maintain access to the geological series.
The Official Seal of the
Department of the Environment
hereunto affixed is authenticated
by
C(1.~
GRSEyMQ'
Senior Officer of the
Department of the Environment
Dated the :Z5/riIJof .r HI\'UH/""/ 2009
5
CAMLOUGH QUARRY
A SPECIAL PLACE ...
SITES OF BIOLOGICAL AND EARTH
SCIENCE IMPORTANCE HAVE BEEN
SURVEYED BY NORTHERN IRELAND
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY TO ASSESS
THEIR SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. THE BEST
SITES ARE NOW BEING DECLARED AS
AREAS OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST
(ASSls). IN DOING SO WE AIM TO
SAFEGUARD THESE IMPORTANT SITES
FOR THE BENEFIT OF PRESENT AND
FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Cam/ough Quarry. The pale brown rock is the Ring Dyke and the grey rock is the country rock,
transformed to hornfels by earlier intrusions:
Camlough Quarry has been declared faulting which provides the evidence Correct management is essential for
as an ASSI because of its important that the Slieve Gullion Ring Dyke was special places like Camlough Quarry.
geology. It is part of the Slieve Gullion emplaced in a ring fracture. Movement To retain access to and use of the rock
volcanic complex, and the quarry itself along the fault has produced both outcrop in the ASSI it is important to
is located on the west side of Camlough crush-banded rocks, known as keep the site open. Dumping of waste,
Mountain. mylonites, and shattered angular rocks widespread encroachment by trees
known asthe Camlough Breccias. or other vegetation or inappropriate
Some 58-56 million years ago, during development could all damage the
the Palaeogene Period, Slieve Gullion Camlough Quarry also exposes the site. Northern Ireland Environment
wasthe site of a volcano. Subsidence or contact of the much older Newry Agency is keen to work closely with
collapse of this central unit was related granodiorite, an igneous rock, with landowners to maintain and enhance
to a ring fault, some 20km in diameter. the sedimentary greywacke and shale Camlough Quarry ASSI.
This fault acted as a zone of weakness country rocks. The sedimentary rocks
into which further igneous (molten) have been transformed by the heat
rock was injected. This produced the of the igneous intrusion into a type of
ring-dyke system which hassince been rock called hornfels.
exposed through erosion of the softer
CAMLOUGH QUARRY ASSI
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