Iron Works (Disused) — Gowlaun

Situated in a quarry at the fork of the ravines of two streams which join c. 150m to W. Called the Creevelea Iron Works, Sir Charles Coote established a mine here in the early 17th century, but it was destroyed in the 1641 rebellion. A smelter using wood was re-established in 1695 and continued in operation until the 1760s. The works re-opened between 1852 and 1854, and again in the 1860s using turf for fuel, but it closed again in 1872. A final investment in modern equipment enabled it to function from 1896 to 1900, but it has since remained idle. The visible remains probably date from the 1850s and 1860s. They consist of a circular furnace with a square base (dim. c. 9m; H c. 10m) which has four embrasures communicating with the bottom of the furnace. Iron slag adheres to the sides of the flue and there are remains of a spoil heap nearby. The base of a possible crane and the remains of some houses can also be seen. Waterpower might have been derived from the ravine of the stream to N which is bridged by a natural arch and the remains of a brick arch. (Flanagan 1972, 416-20) See the attached view of the furnace taken from the N. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Leitrim' compiled by Michael J. Moore (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2003). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 September 2008