Gorteen Mines situated in the towns land of lismnrock was a tough job and
working conditions were bad but better then Ballynonty and Clashduff
In 1972 when the mines closed there were 350 employees there and several
other jobs outside of Gorteen affected .
In its peak it was produceing 2000 tonne's of good quality anthracite a week.
Hospital's were one of the greater users of this anthracite which was used in their
furnace's ot heat the hospitals.
In 1973 after long negotiations for funding the mines was flooded and all
equipment and machinery was left under ground and was lost.
Over ground buildings were just left and is long gone into disrepair,all is
left is a large slack heap and ruines of buildings(refer to photos).
It was once a striving place with the best anthracite in the country people in cars
horse drawing carts and lorry's were constantly drawing coal to far and near.
the main shaft is filled in and was concreted but as
you can see from photo on right has been broken down for some reason.
There was a new estate built in Killenaule in 1960 for the miners of Gorteen
known as the Ballingarry Estate and in now known as CastleQuaters taken over
by Tipperary South Riding County Council.
Main Shaft At Gurteen Presant Day 11/11/2012
Ruins of washer at Gorteen 2012
Miners Twin Lamp
In 1953 the mining lease for Slieveardagh was purchased from the Government by a Mayo Man for 50,000 Pounds
He returned from England and then many local workers returned who had also emigrated from the area and returned
to work in the Mines. After three years they were 330 men employed there,Wages vaired between 15 to 25 pounds per week
But In 1971, 100 workers were made redundant and in the following year 150 more miners were made redundant and the mines was closed.