To speak somewhat more particularlie both of the charges and the profits of these Iron-works, we shall instance the matter in one of the works of the said Sr Charles Coot, namely that which he had in the Lordship of Mountrath in Queens-county. At that work the Tun (that is twenty hundred weight) of Rock-mine at the furnace head came in all to stand in five shillings six pence sterling, and the Tun of White-mine, which hee had brought him from a place two miles further off in seven shillings. These two were mixed in that proportion, that to one part of Rock-mine were taken two parts of White-mine: for if more of the Rock-mine had bin taken, the Iron would not have bin so good, and too brittle, and being thus mixed, they yeelded one third part of Iron: that is to say, of two Tuns of White-mine, and one Tun of Rock-mine, being mingled and melted together, they had one Tun of good Iron, such as is called Merchants-Iron, being not of the first, but second melting, and hammered out into barres, and consequently fit for all kinds of use.
This Iron he sent down the river Oure (by others called the Nure) to Rosse and Waterford in that kind of Irish boates which are called Cots in that countrie, being made of one piece of timber: which kind of ill-favoured boats (mentioned also by us above) are very common throughout all Ireland, both for to pass rivers in, and to carry goods from one place to another; and not only upon shallow waters, such as the aforenamed River is in the greater part of its course, but even upon the great Rivers and Loughs.
At Waterford the Iron was put aboard ships going for London, where it was sold for sixteen, otherwhiles seventeen pounds sterling, and sometimes for seventeen and a half; whereas it did not stand Sir Charles Coot in more than betwixt ten and eleven pounds sterling, all charges reckoned, as well as digging, melting, fining, as of carrying, boat-hire, and freight, even the Custome also comprehended in it.
Gerard Boate, late Doctor of Physick to the State in Ireland Irelands Naturall History. Being a true and ample Description of its Situation, Greatness, Shape, and Nature; Of its Hills, Woods, Heaths, Bogs; Of its Fruitfull Parts and profitable Grounds, with the several way of Manuring and Improving the same: With its Heads or Promontories, Harbours, Roades and Bayes; Of its Springs and Fountaines, Brookes, Rivers, Loghs; Of its Metalls, Mineralls, Freestone, Marble, Sea-coal, Turf, and other things that are taken out of the ground. And lastly, of the Nature and temperature of its Air and Season, and what diseases it is free from, or subject to. Conducing to the Advancement of Navigation, Husbandry, and other profitable Arts and Professions Published by Samuel Hartlib Esq for the Common Good of Ireland, and more especially, for the benefit of the Adventurers and Planters therein, London 1652; dedicated to His Excellency Oliver Cromwel, Captain-Generall of the Common-wealths Army in England, Scotland and Ireland, and Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and to the Right Honorable Charles Fleetwood, Commander in Chief (under the Lord Generall Cromwell) of all the Forces in Ireland
The point of embarkation was probably near Castletown, which is on the Nore.
[wwse91]
Irish waterways history 