Arigna Mining Experience

Arigna Mining Experience is a museum housed in a former coal mine beneath the hills of County Roscommon, displaying original equipment and mining installations from its working years. The underground tunnels remain accessible, revealing the layout of galleries and showing geological features alongside artifacts from daily operations.

Mining operations began in the 1600s under Charles Coote's ownership and continued for roughly 400 years as a major local enterprise. Closure came in 1992 when coal reserves became exhausted and further extraction became unprofitable.

Former miners serve as guides, sharing their personal memories of working in cramped conditions underground. Their stories bring to life what daily labor looked like in the tunnels and how this work shaped the local community.

A complete visit takes about 2 hours and includes the exhibition area, a documentary film, and a guided tour through the tunnels led by a former miner. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a jacket, as the underground passages stay cool and the ground is uneven in places.

Iron extracted from this mine was used in the construction of Dublin's Ha'penny Bridge, linking this remote operation to one of Ireland's most recognizable landmarks. Few visitors expect to find such a direct connection between a county coal mine and the nation's capital city infrastructure.