Lime Kiln, Botera Upper Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone BT78 5LH

Lime Kiln, Botera Upper Road, Omagh

A continuous draw lime kiln built around 1870, located on the east side of Botera Upper Road. The structure remains largely unchanged and its original function is clearly legible from its arrangement of openings.

The kiln is square on plan and constructed of squared and coursed rubble stone, retaining its grassy bank. A large circular opening lined with rubble stone allows for the exhaust of fumes and stocking of the fire. The walls are squared rubble with fieldstone quoins. The principal elevation faces west and comprises a large square-headed recess with timber lintel; within this opening the rear wall steps back from the lintel, forming the outer wall of the circular furnace, and is supported at each level by large stone and later iron joists. A square-headed draw hole is positioned at the base. A lowered area to the front, probably a later addition, features a flagstone surface accessed by two steps at the north. The north and south elevations are partially recessed within the surrounding bank; the exposed section at the south is abutted by sandstone steps providing access to the upper level. The circular bowl of the kiln is constructed of coursed rubble stone using smaller stones, with some repairs visible to the top courses. The access steps and earthen ramp to the top survive. The bowl demonstrates fine workmanship throughout.

The kiln is sited at the roadside with access from the north to a yard at the upper level, bounded on each side by wire fencing and vegetation.

The kiln first appears uncaptioned on the third edition Ordnance Survey map of 1905–6, and is captioned as a limekiln on the fourth edition of 1936–7. Lime kilns, where small quantities of limestone had been burnt with peat or coal at least since the eighteenth century, were characteristic features of the Irish landscape. The burnt limestone was primarily used as a fertiliser. However, following the Second World War, ground limestone became available at subsidised prices under the Marshall Plan, which brought an end to domestic lime fertiliser production. Though originally built for agricultural purposes, the kiln is no longer in use. Limestone is the principal bedrock over much of Ireland, though it is less usual in Northern Ireland, where Fermanagh and Tyrone are the main sources. This kiln represents the development of farming and rural industry in the area and is a good example of its type, possessing more substance than the common variety.