The mining community, together with the gypsum and brick clay deposits, occupies a small district in the north-east of the Republic of Ireland. The field extends for 12km southwards from Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, to east of Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, reaching the Kilmainhamwood area of north Meath. The manufacturing headquarters of each industry is in the latter region, but Kingscourt is regarded as the ‘capital’. The study investigates and relates the nexus of the community and its industries over time; it explains the continuum of developments resulting from this relationship; and acknowledges the local, national, and international events as they contribute to the context and history of the industries. Herein lies the challenge of the thesis. The significance of the study revolves on its primary achievement of providing the first social account of the workings of these important minerals, while recognising their unique and valuable contribution to the Irish construction industry and to export markets. The cast of significant, entrepreneurial characters reveals the attraction of industrial enterprise - many of whom emerge from the obscurity of the archives. The methodology is governed by the nature of the primary sources and the trajectory which they afford the work. Accordingly, the origins, chronology and progression of this narrative, qualitative account, rests on the sequential grants of mineral leases and associated literature. From 1800-1903, these leases were moulded by the Shirley family, the landlords who owned and controlled the minerals. Their archival material was invaluable in providing a social insight on industrial development and nineteenth century tenant society. Following the milestone legislation of Wyndham’s land act in 1903, the leases were mainly negotiated by mining companies with the Irish department of industry and commerce. Launch days were major events for the thesis. They furnished the social, political, and economic milieu, thus placing the industries in their contemporary surroundings. Many sub-themes are also featured such as, rail transport; the role of turf; fertilizer; and environmental concerns. They augment and embellish the central dynamic of the work. The introduction of plasterboard manufacture in 1947 proved a revolutionary development in terms of output, earnings and employment. On the conclusion of the study (2010), both industries have become members of conglomerate enterprises. The many benefits bestowed upon the community from the fountain of employment are described. But social stability, which allows the local heritage to prosper, is the paramount value.