Site Details

Location

Balscadden Bay

Grid reference

53.387335, -6.0658210

Fossil Name

Brachiopods, corals

Fossil Type

Various marine animals (shells and other invertebrate animals – without backbones)

Fossil Age

Carboniferous

Rock Type

Limestone

Access Info

Park in the (pay and display) car park in the village centre and walk up the hill to the gap in the fence, where steep steps lead down to the beach. WARNING! This is a rocky coastal location with uneven terrain. Take care as rocks can become slippery when wet. Full access to the rocks containing the fossils at this location is only possible at low tide.

Fossil Info

The low rocks on the north side of the bay are fossiliferous limestone. There are abundant crinoid ossicles, with rare solitary corals and brachiopods. The fossils are slightly raised as they are partially replaced by silica.