Liscannor Slate

Liscannor Slate takes its name from the small fishing village on the Clare coast near the Cliffs of Moher. It is not technically a slate in the geological sense — it is a flagstone: a fine-grained, carboniferous sandstone that splits naturally into usable flat pieces. But “Liscannor Slate” is the trade name by which it has been known and loved for generations.

The Fossil Surface

What makes Liscannor uniquely compelling is what lies on its surface. Each piece carries the imprint of an ancient seabed — ripple marks left by shallow Carboniferous seas 320 million years ago are perfectly preserved in the stone’s flat faces. Fossil worm burrows, wave patterns, and organic traces make every single piece one-of-a-kind.

This natural character is the reason Liscannor has never been successfully imitated by manufactured stone. The fossils cannot be replicated.

Colour & Weathering

Fresh Liscannor is a deep charcoal-grey, almost black when wet. Outdoors, it weathers over time to a range of blue-greys, developing a silver patina that suits both traditional cottage gardens and modern minimalist landscaping equally well.

The stone’s natural horizontal layering (the same stratification that allows it to be split) gives laid paving a coherent, directional quality — all the fossils face upward, all the natural lines run the same way.

Applications

Paving: Liscannor’s natural split surface is slightly rough — ideal for outdoor paving where slip-resistance matters. It is widely used for garden paths, courtyard paving, and terrace surfaces across Ireland.

Cladding: The stone splits thin enough for wall cladding applications. Split-face cladding using Liscannor creates a dramatic, deeply textured wall surface.

Roofing: Traditional use as a roofing material continues in conservation and restoration contexts. Liscannor roof flags are heavy but extremely durable.

Availability

Quarried exclusively in Co. Clare. Supply is limited — this stone cannot be sourced from anywhere else in the world. Order well in advance for large projects.