Large rough-hewn blocks were transported from the Black Quarry on horse-drawn drays the short distance to the River Nore, then onto small river floats or barges and brought about down-river to Milmount where it was worked. A weir on the river provided water to drive reciprocating cross-cut saws to cut the larger blocks into the finished shapes required for the market. The saws were actually steel bands, about four meters long. Sand was used as an abrasive cutting agent. Water levels were kept low by two steel reciprocating pumps, probably driven by steam. A lime kiln was located close by which produced lime from the stone chips and off-cuts. Coal, probably from Castlecomer, north of Kilkenny, layered with stone and set to smoulder, produced white chunks of lime, which, when powdered was used as an agricultural fertilizer. The quarry was owned by the Colles family, a famous member being physician Abraham Colles. From the top of the Black Quarry, Cromwell's forces in 1650 are said to have positioned cannon and fired on the city.