The Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Bray
Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Bray
Ballycorus Lead Mines: A Relic of Ireland's Industrial Past
Discover the industrial history of 19th-century Ireland at the Ballycorus Lead Mines, featuring a landmark chimney and scenic walking trails.
Explore the remains of the Ballycorus Lead Mines, a 19th-century mining and smelting center near Dublin. See the iconic chimney, remnants of the flue system, and imagine the bustling industry that once thrived here, extracting lead and silver from the surrounding hills.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Ballycorus Lead Mines
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
Ballycorus, Co. Dublin, IE
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Getting There
Public Transport
From Dublin city center, take the Dublin Bus route 44 towards Enniskerry. The bus departs from the city center and stops at 'The Scalp (Butlers)' on Enniskerry Road. From there, it's approximately a 2km walk to Carrickgollogan. Check Transport For Ireland's Journey Planner for the most up-to-date schedule. A single fare on Dublin Bus is approximately €3.
Car
From Dublin, drive south on the M50 and exit at Junction 15. Follow signs for Kilternan village. Drive through Kilternan and turn left onto Barnaslingan Lane. The car park for Carrickgollogan is approximately 300m up this road. Parking is free. Note that parking can be limited, especially on weekends.
Local tips
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Wear sturdy shoes as the terrain around the mine and chimney can be uneven.
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Bring a camera to capture the views from Carrickgollogan hill and the historical remnants of the lead mines.
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Check the weather forecast before visiting, as the site can be exposed and muddy after rain.
Discover more about Ballycorus Lead Mines
Ballycorus Lead Mines, located in County Dublin, offers a glimpse into Ireland's industrial heritage. The site, which began as an open-cast mine around 1807, was later taken over by the Mining Company of Ireland (MCI) in 1826. The MCI expanded operations to include underground mining and a smelting facility in the valley below.The most prominent feature of the site is the chimney atop Carrickgollogan hill. Constructed in 1836, the chimney was the terminus of a 2 km flue that carried fumes from the smelting process. This system was designed to capture lead from the fumes, but the process resulted in lead poisoning among workers, earning the area the grim nickname "Death Valley".After the local mine was exhausted in the 1860s, the Ballycorus facility continued to process ore from other MCI sites, including locations in Wicklow, Wexford, Donegal and the Isle of Man. The facility finally closed in 1913. Today, visitors can explore the remaining structures, including the chimney and sections of the flue. The surrounding area is managed by Coillte and the Dublin Mountains Partnership, with a waymarked walking trail called the "Lead Mines Way" leading to the chimney.
A brief summary to Ballycorus Lead Mines
Use Ballycorus Lead Mines as your starting point for nearby food, family ideas, nightlife, and more local discoveries.
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