Allihies Copper Mine Museum

Mining at Allihies

In 1812 life in Allihies changed utterly when a rich copper deposit was discovered in the area and the biggest copper mining enterprise in Ireland was established by the Puxley family which saw the Industrial Revolution spread it’s tentacles to this most remote corner of Ireland.

This is the extraordinary story of exemplary engineering coupled with less than exemplary social conditions.  The evidence of this industry is to be seen all around Allihies in the form of the large Cornish engine houses that housed the magnificent steam engines that made the mining possible, constantly pumping out water for deeper and deeper mining, driving winding gear and lowering the miners to great depths, far beyond the level of the ocean. 
For the best part of the nineteenth century Allihies echoed with the sound of giant machinery crushing the quartz rock which held the copper ore. Dressing and separating the ore was an arduous task for man and machine and the resulting ore was shipped to Swansea for smelting.

Streams of water ran form the dressing floors down to Ballydonagan Beach passing through the huts and mud hovels that gave shelter to hundreds of Irish labourers and their families. Allihies was overcrowded, with each dwelling in the village housing at least 25 inhabitants. At the hights of it’s working the mines employed 1500 people.

The mines eventually closed in 1884.  There was a subsequent working of the mines in the 1920’s and further exploratory work from 1957 – 1962 which declared the mines to be unviable.  It proved that the nineteenth century miners had done a very thorough job.

“The celebrated Berehaven Coppermines justly rank with the best copper mines in Europe” William Thomas 1880.

Allihies Copper Mine Museum

Allihies Copper Mine Museum is retained in the old Methodist church built in 1845 for immigrant Cornish miners. The museum is small in size but densely packed with fascinating information about mining, geology, and local history. There is much for the visitor to explore and discover on their personal journey back through time.

A bright, modern extension to the church houses the Copper Café where patrons can have lunch or enjoy home baking with aromatic ‘Cork Roasters’ coffee.

The museum also boasts an exhibition space, often filled with the work of Allihies’ thriving artistic community. Listings for 2011’s Art Programme are below.

A small shop beside the museum sells trinkets, novelties, toys, books and DVDs related to mining and geology. It also stocks quality handmade jewelry and occasional craft items.