Mid-Antrim Iron and Bauxite mines – geology and industrial history

We will visit the Cargan area – Newtowncrommelin – Parkmore – Waterfoot – Ardclinis

Facilities (toilets and snacks) at Cargan garage and Mace (Kearneys) on Glenravel Road (A43). No facilities at meet-up point. The morning session will be in and around The Drum and Newtowncrommelin. We will then have lunch at The Drum car park before covering the rest of the sites in the afternoon.

Car sharing will be required from the meetup point as parking is very limited at Newtowncrommelin. We will also have to car share from Cargan village to Parkmore.

The County Antrim Inter-basaltic laterites have proven to be a rich source of ores for iron and aluminium (bauxite). Through the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, a huge number of mines and associated works were established to work these rich and abundant deposits. Over 700 adits and shafts have been recorded, associated with these workings and some 5 million tonnes of iron ore was extracted together with a minimum of some ¼ million tonnes of bauxite.

The mines and associated infrastructure (in particular the development of the railway network) were economically important at the time, and did much to open up parts of the Glens of Antrim. Little evidence now remains of this once thriving industry but careful examination of the landscape, assisted by old maps and photographs will allow us to understand this story better.

The work of Kevin O’Hagan has been critical in exploring and documenting much of this history. Recommended reads are

https://antrimhistory.net/the-iron-mines-of-glenravel-by-kevin-j-ohagan/

The Mountains of Iron: A History of the Iron Mining Industry in Mid-Antrim. Kevin O’Hagan. https://shanway.com/product/the-mountains-of-iron/

Health and Safety comments. We will be staying on surfaced footpaths, roadways and tracks. Some gentle gradients will be encountered. We will NOT be entering any mine workings. There will be no need to climb gates or fences. Parkmore Station is semi-derelict but can be viewed from the outside. Some walking beside busy roads with no footpath at Parkmore and Newtowncrommelin. Please bring hi-viz vest if you have one. Please wear appropriate footwear and outdoor clothing suitable for expected weather. In the event of very poor weather conditions, the event will be postponed with notification by email + website and Facebook.