Vodka and eggs provide Cong quarry with recipe for success!

A limestone quarry in Cong is proving an Absolut goldmine, with the Swedish vodka company snapping up its resources for their crystal clear bottles.

Coinciding with the collapse in the construction sector, McGrath’s Quarries proved a glass act by expanding to supply calcium carbonate for use in glass manufacturing. And their range of lime and feed-grade calcium powders and grits is also being snapped up by farm suppliers across the country and Britain – as well as increasing the quality and strength of eggs, it’s used for the likes of beef and dairy cattle.

Calcium is one of the main minerals needed by animals to grow, develop and produce. Around 3,000 tons of high-purity limestone and calcium leave Galway Docks each month for Scotland and Sweden.

The carbonate – which is up to 99% pure and believed to be the highest quality in the country – is used in glass manufacturing, and one of McGrath’s biggest customers produces bottles for the likes of Absolut, Smirnoff and Glenfiddich.

As well as getting into the spirit of the glass market, the ‘Congcal’ products are also used in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, paper, paint as well as in the steel, car, oil and numerous other industries.

Linda McGrath told the Connacht Tribune: “Following various tests carried out on the quality of the limestone in our quarry, it was found to have a high calcium content containing little or no impurities or heavy metals.

“So in 2007, we further expanded into a new field producing high quality calcium carbonate in various grades suitable for animal feeds and glass production.

“We supply to the glass manufacturing industry; sales are well up, and we also supply products to the farming sector all over the country, such as a lime sprinkle for under dairy cows which removes moisture and lessens chance of infection. Our products are also sold indirectly because we supply feed companies.

“It’s top-quality limestone here, there are few heavy metals which is very important, because they would affect the quality of the glass and its colour,” said Ms McGrath.

She added that the company – which employs around 50 people – is constantly looking out for new markets and industries.

They continue to supply the likes of concrete, blocks, tarmac and gravel through the business which has been built-up over 50 years.

The quarry’s expansion is also great news for Galway docks, which is the best performing port in the country so far this year, according to new figures which show cargo traffic is up by 12%.

For full story see this week’s Connacht Tribune.