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Irish Limestone is a natural material of unique beauty, inherent durability and versatility. It can be used for flooring, counter tops, fireplace mantles and surrounds, as well as in architectural applications in lintels, cladding, monuments, landscape paving stones and outdoor sculptures. Not all limestones are created equal. Irish Limestone is extremely hard and durable, having been formed about 370 million years ago as the floor of a coastal sea. The deep water transformed sediments into tough, fine-grained grey-blue limestone with calcite veins and crystalline fossils. The palette of colors are identified as Irish Blue, Grey, and Fossil Limestone, since they range from black to blue to grey and often display well-defined fossils of sea shells, corals and prehistoric sea plants. The fossils and the inclusions of calcite introduce dramatic white or grey markings into the darker matrix of the stone. There is a long, well-documented history of Irish Limestone as a construction material in Ireland, from the early burial cairns, the tall slender stone round towers, churches, crosses, castles and monasteries. Technology introduced in the 20th century revolutionized the Irish Limestone industry, expanding both the cutting capacity and flexibility of the sizes of stone available. Irish Limestone producers can supply a very wide range of finishes and dressings on the limestone, from highly polished, reflective finishes to more subtle honed, satin finishes. For the homeowner, stone remains the first choice in materials for strength, versatility of styling and, above all else, appearance. Irish Limestone counter- tops and flooring can be the design elements that tie everything together. For a rustic feel, floors and paving stones can be tumbled, flamed, or antiqued. Irish Blue Limestone, like all natural stones, varies in appearance from slab to slab and within the body of each slab as well. This natural variation imparts the prized natural character to the stone.