Looks like a mine in a fantastic location.
Dad needs to go to County Kerry next year, looks as if it's worth a divertion from our original route.
Is there.. 'by any chance - underground workings accessible?

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There was loads underground last time I was there but its about 10 years ago.

CATMHS did a lot of work there in the 1980's - look in their early newsletters.

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You need the book Berehaven Mines which tells you all you need to know about the mines on the Beara peninsula.

http://www.moorebooks.co.uk/shelves/cart.php?target=product&product_id=18272&category_id=324 

Another volume which tells you about mining in the area and where to find things is.
http://www.moorebooks.co.uk/shelves/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16630&category_id=324 

There are the Bronze age workings at Ross Island nr Killarney and also bronze age workings and remains on Mount Gabriel if you can find them.

Unless you have SRT it is difficult to access the workings at Allihies although I am told that there is now acces to the lower level. There is another level higher which you can access although it is not immediately obvious. There are workings on the other side of the mountain too if you drive round you can see them from the road.

There is now a small museum in Allihies which is well worth a visit and the hotel in the village is pretty good - enjoy

I did a joint article for the SCMC journal a few years ago where identified and described remains and access to workings.

Mike

This site has some useful information if you're planning a trip to Ireland
http://www.mhti.com/mineinventory.htm#Cork 
and this Memoir is interesting reading for Irish mining generally
http://www.moorebooks.co.uk/shelves/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16517&category_id=324 

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Cole is very good but is not so helpful when you are looking for current remains - we spent many hours looking for long gone adits .

Mike

Spent many happy hours in there trying to cross flooded sumps lit by shafts of light coming in down the open stopes. very primeval, wouldn't have been surprised to look up and see a pterodactyl flying past.

Had to abseil in though, although the pitches were short. Finally got out through a flooded adit although I believe this is now run.

Depending on which port you come into the adit at Bunmahon (on the other coast) is also worth a look - half way down a cliff.

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Spent many happy hours in there trying to cross flooded sumps lit by shafts of light coming in down the open stopes. very primeval, wouldn't have been surprised to look up and see a pterodactyl flying past.

Had to abseil in though, although the pitches were short. Finally got out through a flooded adit although I believe this is now run.

Depending on which port you come into the adit at Bunmahon (on the other coast) is also worth a look - half way down a cliff.

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done a lot of exploring in and around Mountain mine, loads of photos (not digi) also other Irish mines. including Bonmahon, Dooneen,Schull,Silvermines, Tynagh.Gortdrum (only surface ere) want any photos or info, just ask, busy so may take a few days. :thumbsup:

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Hi Minerat

Yes some pics of Irish mines underground would be excellant.

By the way: has anyne visited Valentia Island Slate Quarry,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinoc/185816017/ 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12380833@N02/1406297115/ 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27559966@N05/2809664651/ 

Thanks Sparty, Morebooks, and Monty btw for the info

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hi lap. contact me pm. will send via pigeon post.

:thumbsup:

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I was told by someone who visited Mountain mine a couple of years back that, as part of the restoration of the spectacular engine house, the main adit level had been cleared. It was a simple and easy "walk-in" job to extensive workings with big stopes open to surface, much iron-mongery associated with the engine house above, large stemples, colourful coatings on the walls and stopes full of water fouled by dumping of rubbish from above.
I do not know the current situation, but if the level is still open then it sounds like a great place to visit. As I understand it there are other mines in the vicinity too.

The Berehaven Mines book provides details of all the mines in the area - Dunboy Castle is also worth a look owne by the Puxley Family who were the mining investors.

The novel "Hungry Hill" by Daphne Du Maurier waqs based on the family and the mines - Tony Oldham can probably sell you a copy of that

Mike

Looks an interesting place. Here's a couple of links

The Museum http://www.acmm.ie/ 

Somewhere close to stay. http://www.copperminevillas.com/ 

Definitely one for the to do list.

Thanks for those sites Toadstone;

On the subject of The Bronze Age mine Near Cill Airne/Killarney, is it open-stoping or underground?

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Looks an interesting place. Here's a couple of links

The Museum http://www.acmm.ie/ 

Somewhere close to stay. http://www.copperminevillas.com/ 

Definitely one for the to do list.

I seem to be getting a Turkish hacker for the museum link. 😮

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What is it with Turkey and Sad, Low life hackers?
One of them hacked ME some months back; have they nothing better to do.

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Sorry you are unable to see the Museum link. I've heard of this page hacking but never seen it until now. :offtopic: I know but is it easy to get rid of?

I'm assuming it stems from pages that are scripted in php and the like? In any case very sad.

Peter.

Re the Bronze Age stuff nr killarney - there is a neat little book called "Ross Island " written by Billy O'Brian the acknowledged expert on Bronze Age mining in Ireland

It provides details of these mines - it is all nr surface with a couple of short underground workings. Unfortunatly a lot was obliterated with 19th Century mining also taking place

Mike

The adit at Mountain Mine was reopened a few years back when the Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland (of which I am chairperson) was helping with the filming of a TV programme. The adit is now blocked, but access can be got by abseiling down the man engine shaft (about 130 feet) or by abseiling down the stopes. On the surface, MHTI has spent over €250,000 on conservation works on the man engine house - this is they only purpose built cornish design man engine house in the world.

Please note that there is no general access to abandoned mine workings in Ireland. All abandoned mine workings are owned by the State. The Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland has an access agreement with the State.

Contact me by email if you want more details or wish to get help in visting any mine sites in Ireland.

Martin