It is thought that mining was occurring at the Avoca Copper Mines during the Bronze Age (2,500 – 500 BC) – various tools have been found to substantiate this!
The Avoca Mines thrived for centuries. Cartographers for the Greek geographer Ptolomy, who mapped Ireland in 150 AD, indicated the location of Avoca (then spelt Oboka) and it is thought that the Romans traded ore with this valley. Copper mining (and later sulphur and ochre) is was thriving in the Avoca River valley around 1714. It continued, with interruptions, until 1982. Mining therefore undoubtedly played an important role in the history of Avoca.
The East Avoca site today is composed mainly of a number of rock waste spoil heaps, abandoned quarries (Cronebane and East Avoca open pits) and disused roads. The largest spoil heap, Mount Platt, was built up from waste rock excavated from Cronebane open pit. There was a mineral tramway built from the West Avoca mines, through the village (on the opposite side of the river) and on to Arklow Harbour. The route of most of this was subsumed into the Dublin-Rosslare railway line, but an arch and a tunnel under the road from Rathdrum to Avoca remains. There are also the remains of 7 engine houses of the Cornish style.
The Avoca mine site, although scenic does contain numerous public hazards. The site consists of openings into old unsafe underground mine workings. These, along with open pits with steep high walls, water bodies and spoil piles with elevated metals, present a very real hazard to the public.
There is a dedicated Facebook Page HERE!
A well-written, indepth history, worth a read can be found HERE!
Guided tours of the mining area are provided every Saturday at 11 am by Avoca Tours – reach them HERE!
It is thought that mining was occurring at the Avoca Copper Mines during the Bronze Age (2,500 – 500 BC) – various tools have been found to substantiate this!
The Avoca Mines thrived for centuries. Cartographers for the Greek geographer Ptolomy, who mapped Ireland in 150 AD, indicated the location of Avoca (then spelt Oboka) and it is thought that the Romans traded ore with this valley. Copper mining (and later sulphur and ochre) is was thriving in the Avoca River valley around 1714. It continued, with interruptions, until 1982. Mining therefore undoubtedly played an important role in the history of Avoca.
The East Avoca site today is composed mainly of a number of rock waste spoil heaps, abandoned quarries (Cronebane and East Avoca open pits) and disused roads. The largest spoil heap, Mount Platt, was built up from waste rock excavated from Cronebane open pit. There was a mineral tramway built from the West Avoca mines, through the village (on the opposite side of the river) and on to Arklow Harbour. The route of most of this was subsumed into the Dublin-Rosslare railway line, but an arch and a tunnel under the road from Rathdrum to Avoca remains. There are also the remains of 7 engine houses of the Cornish style.
The Avoca mine site, although scenic does contain numerous public hazards. The site consists of openings into old unsafe underground mine workings. These, along with open pits with steep high walls, water bodies and spoil piles with elevated metals, present a very real hazard to the public.
There is a dedicated Facebook Page HERE!
A well-written, indepth history, worth a read can be found HERE!
Guided tours of the mining area are provided every Saturday at 11 am by Avoca Tours – reach them HERE!
