McKeon Stone - Kilkenny Blue Limestone Quarry and Workshop in Stradbally, Co. Laois, Ireland

**Featured sculptors listed below
I first learned about McKeon Stone in 2016, when I spent two months at their workshop in Stradbally, Ireland, sculpting a large commission in Kilkenny blue limestone. It was my first experience working outside of Vermont and Italy, where I was already familiar with supportive communities of stone carvers, and I was delighted to discover a new world of extremely skilled, passionate and dedicated Irish sculptors-a revelation that continues to this day. Ireland has a remarkably rich stone working tradition, going back to prehistoric times, so it’s only natural that some of the world’s finest carvers would be based here.
McKeon, like other large stone fabrication centers, mainly produces architectural and building elements; however, they are extremely supportive of sculptors, a tradition started by the company’s founder, James McKeon, who was himself a master carver. Recognizing that stone presents more logistical and financial hurdles than other media, McKeon tries to help sculptors whenever they can, and they support a host of initiatives including symposia, awards and exhibitions. We therefore find them to be an unusual and fascinating story to highlight, and a good example of how the broader stone working industry can develop mutually enriching relationships with sculptors working in the same medium. - Steve
Sculptors and artworks shown, in order of appearance:
Christy Moran
Richard Healy
Cliodhna Cussen
Brendan McGloin
Michael Quane
Darren Moran
Aileen Anne Brannigan
Martin Lyttle
Simon Carman
Richard Healy
Eileen MacDonagh
Brendan McGloin
Simon Carman
Martin Lyttle
Aileen Anne Brannigan

[@TT-dc2xd]

Just like to thank McKeown stone. Very friendly to me as a new carver and gave me lots of free stone to get me started. Met some artists in the yard as well. Great that they have kept that philosophy on site.

[@beeldhouwerijvanvelzen1533]

For hundreds of years Belgian blue limestone has been used here in the Netherlands. But nowadays stonemasons prefer the Irish limestone. It's nearly the same, but easier to work with, less sand so the tools stay sharp longer, and the crinoids are smaller and not as conspicuous.