Michael Hughes pictured with the chunk of gold he discovered in Co. Monaghan, Ireland on 01/02/1957

Monaghan Farmer Michael Hughes (far right) watches on as the gold he discovered is inspected.

The pictures were featured in the Sunday Express Newspaper in 1957.

Although the grade of the gold in Co Monaghan is relatively low by world standards, the sheer size of the find and the surging prices of gold mean it could still be hugely profitable.
 
The biggest gold mine in Britain and Ireland was discovered in 2009 at Clontibret, Co Monaghan close to the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.