" Walking on the Stony Ground " - a photo on Flickriver

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSAr3S7Iloc
The old mines at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow.
The miners pathway, which can be done as part of a 10 mile hike rises towards Glendassan through the valley with the upper lake away in the distance. The high area on the right is called the Spinc which has the most amazing views. You can see it on one of my albums attached here.[ "Glendalough from the high ground" ]
On the left is an old mine shaft and the chalky coloured spoil from it. The mines last operated here in June 1957 as it became uneconomically viable. Many of the miners emigrated to Australia, South America, South Africa and Cornwall to work in the mines there. Others went to London to work building the Underground. They became known as "The Tunnel Tigers"

" Hares run free on the Wicklow mountains,
Wild Geese fly and the Foxes play,
The Wicklow men have all gone roving,
There driving a tunnel through the London clay
Up with the shield, jack it, ram it,
Drive a tunnel through the London clay"

" Down in the dark are the tunnel tigers,
Far from the sun and the light of day,
Down in the land that the sea once buried,
Driving a tunnel through the Lonon clay
Up with the shield. jack it, ram it,
Drive a tunnel through the London clay "
[ Ewan Mc Call ]
Sean Keane;
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEL_GGzdDRQ

There was a tragedy here in 1956. The mines worked on a 24 hour shift basis.Miners in pairs would drill holes into the rock face to place the dynamite. This was done at night. Two men would hold the drill one standing in front of the other. They would place the explosives and get out setting off the charge when they were at a safe distance away. However, there was a stick of explosives in one of the holes which had not gone off at a previous operation. Of course the miners wernt aware of this. Unfortunately the drill bit slipped and went into the old hole and the dynamite exploded. It killed the first man and blew the second man 10 yards along the passageway. They were found the next morning and luckily the second man, Robbie Carter, survived.He was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. A nice man who was full of fun who became very active in the local restoration and historic socitey for this area and gave many wonderful lectures.An inspiration! I met him a few times and he was a was a local hero! Sadly missed.
On a happier note, this area is full of goats. Beautiful creatures that were once owned by the miners and are now gone wild. You can spot them on the hills but in the winter the herds come down into the valley for protection and its a great time to see them and their kids. Wonderful that they are still here.
This area is a great place to see Ravens riding on the thermals that exist here. They normally follow you when you are up here.
Peregrine Falcons also hunt and nest here high up on the cliffs. Amazing birds.
Ive also seen the Viviperous Lizzard here, sunning itself on the rocks in the Spring. It drops its tail if it feels threathened and it is our only true native Lizard in Ireland.
There are also 3 types of Deer here. Red,Sika and Roe and they come here for shelter from the wind and rain. They are quite tame and used to people.
Red Squirrels live in the Scots Pine forest along by the lake. Thankfully they have survived well here because of the places isolation. They are shy and timid, but very inquisitive creatures that you can often see them peeping out at you from behind the tree trunks as you pass by. Wonderful!
This place has it all really and you could spend a lifetime just exploring it and see something different everyday. I wonder could I stick a roof on one of the old cottages and move in up there? No internet though! Well theres a thought!! Lol!
This is a companion pic to my last one as they are both taken in the same area but at different heights. I do hope you like it and if you are lucky enough to be this way, you know where I am.
Im absolutely in awe of the amazing comments on my last photo and the wonderful stories and compliments that people and friends here, from all over the World have paid to [my] beautiful Ireland and to our people and how much they loved visiting here. Its "got" to me really so there still must be a bit of heart beating somewhere in this old body of mine! Lol!
Best wishes to all my friends.You are special!
Here are my photos on Flickriver;
flickriver.com/photos/137473925@N08/
P@t.
www.countywicklowheritage.org/page/the_glendasan_mines?pa...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSAr3S7Iloc

www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie/nature/mammals/

www.glendalough.ie/gallery/

Taken in: Ireland / Leinster / Brockagh (show map)

Taken on: June 17, 2019

Tags:

Glendalough Co Wicklow

Glenealo River

Hiking

Tragedy

Bob Carter

Wild

Beautiful

VIDEO LINK « less

Sets appears in: • GLENDALOUGH, CO. WICKLOW • new album FLICKR DL 21-9-2019

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