During the explore of The Wicklow Mountains National Park we walked to the place called the Hero Mine and Dressing Floors, located in Glendasan valley, County Wicklow. This is an area of archeological, historical and natural heritage importance.
The Wicklow Mountains have a rich mining history. Copper was mined in Avoca, and lead was mined in Glenmalure, Glendasan and Glendalough. Within the Wicklow Mountains National Park, spoil heaps and ruined mining villages can be seen at Glendasan (on the Wicklow Gap road) and at the Miners’ Village in Glendalough. Visitors are welcome to stroll around and explore the ruins.
Mining in Glendalough dates back to the 1790’s where lead, zinc and silver were mined both in the Glendalough Valley and the next adjacent Valley, Glendasan. Mining in this area took place for over 150 years and at the peak of production 2,000 miners were employed. Mining continued up until 1957.
The Hero Mine was opened in 1827 by the Mining Company of Ireland (1824-1890). In 1833, New Hero was opened across the valley and the Hero dressing floor developed to separate the lead ore raised in this valley from its waste rock, in preparedness for smelting. The Hero dressing floor displays all the major stages of ore reduction. It is a superlative example of a nineteenth century dressing floor and is of significant national heritage value.
Glendalough and Glendasan valleys are now under the care of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which cares for the natural flora and fauna and surviving built heritage of the area.
Location of Hero Mine and Dressing Floors, Glendasan:
Below my photos taken in September 2021.
