"Burning the bones of the earth" was the old saying that the old lime burners of old used to describe burning limestone.

Lime has been used in Ireland for thousands of years. Historically, limestone was burned to produce quick lime which was used for building mortar and limewash, for tanning and skinning animal hides and for fertiliser in agriculture.

But quick lime also had a more sinister use - as told by Oscar Wilde in a description of an execution in the Ballad of Reading Gaol.

A fist of quick lime was reportedly thrown in Parnell's face and it was said that had he not had his eyes closed, he would have lost his sight.

This documentary is based on an unpublished memoir and tells the story of the life and work of a lime burner- seen through the eyes of two told by Matty McCaulife from Kerry and ‘the limeburner of Churchhill’ - an imaginary village between Macroom and Charleville in Cork.

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