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Glengowla Mines & Family Farm Experience
Glengowla Mines is a "show mine" dedicated to the lead and silver mining history of Glengowla and the Oughterard area.With our online itinerary creator, Oughterard attractions like Glengowla Mines & Family Farm Experience can be center stage of your vacation plans, and you can find out about other attractions like it, unlike it, near it, and miles away.
Mining at Glengowla began in 1851, after a farmer discovered galena just under the soil surface. 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, dolerite, quartz, and rare green and blue octahedral fluorite.
The site was opened as a heritage site by the owners of the land, Patrick and Keith Geoghegan. 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.
Glengowla is part of Ireland’s National Seismic Network, logging real-time information with a seismograph, contributing to information of earthquakes worldwide.
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Glengowla Mines & Family Farm Experience reviews
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My sister and I visited on a quiet weekday afternoon and we were one of two parties there. We saw the sheepdog demonstration and the mine tour as a group of the two of us. We met one of the sheep...
My sister and I visited on a quiet weekday afternoon and we were one of two parties there. We saw the sheepdog demonstration and the mine tour as a group of the two of us. We met one of the sheep... more »
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Sean is a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. We felt we had had a great experience descending 120 feet into the cave. Very enjoyable 40 minutes, well recommended
Sean is a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. We felt we had had a great experience descending 120 feet into the cave. Very enjoyable 40 minutes, well recommended more »
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Such a nice family that runs the business!! You can book a 40min guided tour through an old mine and there is a little shop as well. You can have a picnic on one of the picnic tables and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere on the lovely site - there are sheep and a playground as well! It is definitely worth a visit! :)
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Brilliant place to visit with the family. The tour guide and owner were extremely knowledgeable and friendly and included our three children in the tour to make sure they learnt something and enjoyed it too. Would highly recommend a visit here if you’re visiting!
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