Mining historians visiting Ireland should try to include this site since it has some of the best remains in Ireland and attempts are being made to preserve it as a tourist attraction.
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Mountain Mine (OS 591458) - This has a very prominent and photographed engine house sitting on top of the hill above the dressing floors. It operated a man engine and is surrounded by a series of open stopes which lead down to the blocked adit, below which the workings are flooded. There are several open shafts and remains of buildings and reservoirs. This building HAS restored by the MHTI, completed 2006. |
Cornish Village (OS 592458) - A couple of the buildings are still occupied but others remain as ruins. Nearby is a very well preserved powder house.
Caminches Mine (OS 594456) - Very little is left on this part of the site except for a couple of shafts, remains of buildings and a boiler from a portable steam engine.
Coom Mine (OS 597455) - The engine house is at the end of a winding road, 440 yards from Camminches Mine. Apart from the engine house, fenced shaft and remains of buildings, very little else can be found.
Kealogue Mine (OS 586438) - Continue along the minor road for about 1 mile from Allihies and an engine house and row of shafts can be found.
Dunboy Castle & Bay - This was once the home of the Puxley family who owned the mines and is well worth a visit. The bay was used to load the copper ore onto boats to Swansea.
See Cole's Memoir pages 45-48 for historical summary, and Alan Williams, The Bearhaven Mines, for a full detailed history.
Added to MHTI WebSite March 8th, 2001
Last Revised May 5th, 2001