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Did you know? The Wicklow Mountains National Park was once a lead mining region! This activity lasted from 1825 to 1957, before being abandoned. Today, the “Miners village” still remains, although it has been abandoned. After your visit to Glendalough, you’ll have the chance to discover… The site has the advantage of being historic, and little known to tourists!
The Miners village – Joe King – cc
If you like old historic sites left in their original state, then Miners Village near Glendalough is a must-see. Little known, the site is often little frequented, which adds to its charm.
The village lies at the bottom of the valley, not far from Upper Lake, a local landmark.
Today, it’s easily recognized by the buildings and equipment left standing. At the time, these infrastructures enabled miners to extract lead in particularly precarious conditions.
Today, all that remains are ruined buildings of imposing stone. You can easily make out the old speakers. The area is teeming with cracked rock.
There’s also a square tower, and machinery with rusty cogwheels… Rocky terrain as far as the eye can see, and lovely views over the valley and Upper Lake!
To get there, you’ll need to take “The Miner Walk”, a path specially designed to take you around Miners Village. The latter runs along the north shore of Upper Lake, allowing you to reach the valley floor with its mining relics.
This easy walk is marked by purple arrows and extends over a 5.4 km round trip. Allow an hour and a half for the tour and return.
The place has an incredible charm. Numerous information panels provide further details on the history of mining in Wicklow National Park. You learn a lot, and feel drawn into a place steeped in fascinating history.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
53.00638070217146, -6.379807883721044
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