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Milltown, Co. Clare
This now very unremarkable appearing deposit, is, historically, one of the more
interesting in the region. Documentary records note its existence in the 18th
century, and, during the course of re-examination by John Taylor & Co between
1836 - 1838, rude tools, and remains of firesetting, were noted in what were
described as very extensive ancient workings. These descriptions strongly suggest
this is one of several un-named lead deposits in Co. Clare noted in a document
dating from 1497. In addition, this was the first mine from which zinc was
produced commercially from any mine in Ireland, in 1853.
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During the 19th century, the deposit was examined during the mining boom
of the 1820s, including a phase by the Royal Irish Mining Company which
raised 11 tons of ore in 1826. John Taylor & Co. examined the mine between
1836 - 1838, as noted above, and again between 1853 - 1857, when the mine
was sold to a Mr. Liasbe, who operated it under the name of the Milltown
Silver Lead Mining Co. Ltd. Limited production is noted in the 1860s,
when it was operating under the name of the Bullion Mining Company, after
which the property essentially lay dormant until the 1959 when part of
the site was quarried for calcite. Exploration work in the 1990s indicate
underground workings south of the quarry pit, shown, as it now appears,
in the accompanying photograph.
Click photo for enlarged view. (Click Back to return to page)
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A nearby building (opposite) almost certainly relates to mining activities,
although its purpose is unclear.
Click photo for enlarged view. (Click Back to return to page)
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Added to MHTI WebSiteSep 10th, 2001
Last RevisedSep8th, 2001
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