The Arigna Mining Experience will certainly appeal to those with an interest in history or anyone looking for a day out with a difference. The Arigna area was associated with coal mining for around 400 years and is located in a beautiful scenic area of north Roscommon overlooking Lough Allen.
Now a popular tourist spot, the centre allows visitors an insight into coal mining life in the Arigna Valley from the 1700s until its closure in 1990. A typical visit includes a 45-minute underground tour with an ex-miner as your tour guide, the tour brings visitors to the mine’s coalface where the methods used to extract the coal are demonstrated. The authentic lighting and sound effects throughout the mine add to the reality of the experience. There is also a DVD presentation, an exhibition space, where local geology and the formation of coal deposits are explained, and an excellent photo archive on show.
This centre is highly rated on ‘TripAdvisor.’ It has a coffee shop and the underground tour is fully accessible. It is an all-weather facility and is open 7 days a week from 10.00-17.00hrs daily.
Location: 19kms from Carrick-on-Shannon (R280), 40 km from Sligo (R284). SAT NAV: Latitude / Longitude 54.07709, – 8.120220
The Arigna Mining Experience, Arigna, Co Roscommon Contact: 071-9646466 or www.arignaminingexperience.ie
