Old Copper Mines — Ross Island

On the E side of Lough Leane, Killarney. Survey and excavation revealed three periods of copper mining here, for which there are significant archaeological remains (O'Brien 2000). These include mine shafts and underground tunnel systems, surface spoil deposits, and the locations of settlement areas and former mine buildings. Beaker/Early Bronze Age The oldest mine workings here date back to the beginnings of copper metallurgy in Ireland at the end of the Neolithic period. c. 2400-1900 BC (O'Brien 1995). These are the 'Dane's Mines' discovered in recent centuries, many of which were subsequently destroyed by mining. Surviving examples include the Blue Hole located in the eastern mine sector. This is a large trench-like working measuring 68m long by 8-15m wide. Another early mine is visible in the western area where prehistoric spoil deposits have been identified outside a large cave-like opening 10.5m wide at the entrance, narrowing to less than 5m internally. There is substantial stony infill, with an interior height ranging from 2.7m at the entrance to less than 0.4m at the backwall. Archaeological excavation of a limestone shelf above this mine revealed the site of a mining settlement where huts and ore processing areas can be linked to the users of Beaker pottery. There are no visible remains in this area today. Early Christian period Excavation of settlement areas within Ross Island mine uncovered sub-surface evidence for copper smelting between c. 650-725 AD. Furnaces and slag deposits from this period were identified at four locations, however these are not visible today. Post-Medieval Historical research confirms at least ten phases of copper mining at Ross Island during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The mineral deposit was first prospected by the Kenmare estate in 1707. Sporadic attempts at mining followed, leading to industrial operations between 1804-29 that raised some 5000 tons of copper ore for sale to the Swansea smelters. Mining concluded in 1829 due to commercial difficulties and problems caused by lake flooding. Shortly afterwards, the mine landscape was restored by the Kenmare estate, resulting in the infilling of mine workings and the demolition of mine buildings. Surviving remains include partly infilled and flooded mine shafts, quarry faces, roads and mine dams. The nineteenth-century mine buildings here included two engine houses, powder magazine, bucking house, jigging house, assay office, workshops and stores, a barracks for miners accommodation and a mine manager's house. None of these buildings are extant today, though foundation features are visible in a few cases. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011