SNIPPET: The Rose and Red Marbles from Co. Cork and Co. Kerry can be seen in public buildings, churches and cathedrals throughout Ireland. The quarries which are now closed were worked extensively in the last two centuries. At one time the marble was known as "Rouge Royale." This is a very hard marble and the bright red variety which is similar to red jasper is ideal for jewellery stones. Outcrops of this marble can be seen along the lakeshore at Muckross in the National Park near Killarney. Galway Black Marble (250 million years old). The Galway Black Marble Quarries which are now closed were situated at Merlin Park and Angliham near Galway City. The Jet Black marble from these quarries was exported to England and Spain. The steps up to St. Paul's Cathedral in London are made from Galway marble. Galway used to be a famous trading port with Spain. Records show that in the year 1615, upwards of 1,200 tonnes of Spanish wine was landed in Galway. The sailing ships returning to Spain carried Galway Black Marble on the return journey as ballast and the marble with its distinctive white fossils can be seen today in many public buildings on the west coast of Spain.