Finding the best flint in N. Ireland.

[Andy B]

Hello All,

Does anyone know where i would get some flint in and around the greater Belfast area. If not what anout Co antrim?

I have found a few small nodules that are of inferior quality around the cave hill.

Anyway please post any leads you have. cheers.

Andy.

 

[Toddy]

I only know of flint from Antrim because it occasionally appears in Scotland as sea washed pebbles.
I think the only sources are the Antrim coast and Glens area.
Tried to find some relevant links;

http://www.ulstermuseum.com/meso2005/east_antrim_coast_fieldtrip.html

http://www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Landscapes/Landscapes_WhiteRocks.html

http://www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Text_based_site/Geology files/Fli_nod.html


Cheers,
Toddy

 

[Andy B]

Thanks toddy.

Well researched. I must take a trip up that way some time and collect a few peices of flint for myself.

The flint I collected from around belfast has lots of little inculsions unlike the pure glass-like black stuff you see people use on this forum. These inclusions seem to make it weak at certain places.

Anyway i will keep trying.

Any ideas on how to improvise if I do not have antler?

Thanks

Andy.

 

[Toddy]

I think it might be an idea to have a look at some of the posts that Grooveski has made; hopefully he'll be along and see this thread.
There are a fair number of folks on the forum who are flintknappers, but all I manage are not very good flakes

atb,
Toddy

 

[Celt_Ginger]

Hi. I've just been up to the white rocks at Portrush, and the place is coming down with great flint. huge lumps of the stuff and some as big as brieze blocks,as well as huge bolders of flint. i couldn't believe how much there was, most of it just lying around, with lots of nice rounded stones as well. i spent ages knapping away (though not having a clue how to do it, lol) I brought home a bag full.

 

[British Red]

Hi. I've just been up to the white rocks at Portrush, and the place is coming down with great flint. huge lumps of the stuff and some as big as brieze blocks,as well as huge bolders of flint. i couldn't believe how much there was, most of it just lying around, with lots of nice rounded stones as well. i spent ages knapping away (though not having a clue how to do it, lol) I brought home a bag full.

So that envelope full I posted you this morning was a bit of a waste then

Red

 

[Celt_Ginger]

Ohhh ohhh. I only went there this afternoon after I read Toddy's post about where to find the flint. I'm VERY sorry Red. I should have sent you a PM. let me send you something for your trouble.

 

[British Red]

Don't be bl**** silly - it was an envelope full of rocks

Funny as anything!

Red

 

[taylor27]

from a school trip to ulster american folk park they say ther flint comes from glenarm . antrim