Arigna Mining Experience

Coal was mined in the Arigna valley for around four hundred years, and the last mine closed in 1990 - the end of coal mining in Ireland. The visitor centre opened in 2003 on the site, and the underground tour is led by former Arigna miners, which is the whole reason it works: the guides describe their own working lives rather than reading a script. The seam here was thin, in places under a metre, so men worked lying on their sides in the dark for entire shifts, and the tour takes visitors into the actual workings to see it at that scale. Hard hats are issued. Above ground the exhibition covers the valley, the families and the closure, and the surrounding hills now carry a wind farm, which the centre presents as the valley's succession from one energy source to another. Sections of the tour are low, damp and confined, and warm clothing is needed year-round.

History

Coal was taken at Arigna from one of the narrowest seams known, at first for smelting iron ore. The mines, opened in the 1600s by Charles Coote, changed hands many times, among them the O'Reilly brothers of the United Irishmen and later local families, and the Noone family from Sligo owned them from about 1940 to 1970 (Wikipedia, Arigna Mining Experience).

What to look for

• The working seam - under a metre high in places, entered on the tour.
• The former miners - guides describing their own shifts underground.
• The last mine - Arigna closed in 1990, ending Irish coal mining.
• The wind farm above - the valley's later energy industry on the hills.

When to go

Any season; underground temperature is constant and cool, so bring a jacket whatever the weather outside. Tours run at set times and book up at weekends.

Practical notes

The tour goes into low, damp, confined workings - not suitable for claustrophobia or limited mobility. Guided only, at fixed times. Cold underground year-round.

Nearby

Lough Allen is below; Boyle and Lough Key Forest Park are south-west.

Key facts