Glengowla Mines

Glengowla Mines is a "show mine" dedicated to the lead and silver mining history of Glengowla and the Oughterard area.[1][2]

Glengowla Mines
Mianaigh Ghleann Gabhla
Location within Ireland
Established1999
LocationGlengowla East, near Oughterard, County Galway, Ireland
Coordinates53.418165°N 9.374353°W / 53.418165; -9.374353
TypeLead and silver mining museum
Public transit accessGlengola Bridge (Bus Éireann route 421)
Websiteglengowlamines.ie

History

Mining at Glengowla began in 1851, after a farmer discovered galena just under the soil surface.[3] The first mine shaft was named after a Captain Paul. The mine was in operation until 1865, eventually measuring 40 metres deep and 200 feet wide. The main mining centred on silver and lead, though Connemara marble, gold,[4] dolerite, quartz, and rare green and blue octahedral fluorite.[5]

Exhibitions and tour

The site was opened as a heritage site by the owners of the land, Patrick and Keith Geoghegan.[4] Glengowla Mines' site includes the remains of a 19th-century silver and lead mine, which has been restored to allow visitor access. There is also a heritage and visitor centre, a blacksmith's shop, and a circular powder house.[5]

Glengowla is part of Ireland's National Seismic Network, logging real-time information with a seismograph, contributing to information of earthquakes worldwide.[6]

References
  1. "Glengowla Mines". Show Caves. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  2. "Glengowla Mines". Ask About Ireland. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  3. "Glengowla Lead Mines ~ Oughterard". County Galway Guide. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  4. Prendeville, Tom (3 August 2014). "Farmers strike tourism gold in Connemara's Glengowla hills". The Independent. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  5. "Glengowla Mines". Galway Tourism. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  6. Claffey, Martin (23 February 2014). "Connemara: the best of the west". The Irish Examiner. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
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