What is recorded here

An iron furnace stood beside the Finnihy River in 1656, possibly the works owned by William Burrell near Kenmare in 1640. Hot metal and river water mixed there, forcing local people to build tools, pots or parts for ships while smoke stained the valley air. The furnace may have failed when ore, fuel or money ran out, but the river still carries the memory of that loud, dangerous birth of useful things.

An 'Iron furnace' is named and depicted on the Down Survey map (1655-6) of the barony of Dunkerron. While its precise location is not known, the structure is indicated on the map as being on the W bank of the Finnihy River and a short distance E of a mill (KE093-126----) which is in the adjoining townland of Gortamullin. This may be the ironworks owned by William Burrell, which was recorded near Kenmare in 1640 (Barnard 1982, 3). Another 17th-century ironworking site (KE093-079----), in the townland of Gortamullin, lies c. 800m to the W. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 May 2011

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.