Underground Ireland

ZygOte

good read,

dont know if it already been posted, theres an interesting youtube video on the poodle rive here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ygnHSLKLY

Tonka

the longest rail tunnel in ireland i believe is the Lissumman rail tunnel outside Poyntzpass near Newry. Its disused now.

"Originally planned to be 1604 yards long, it
was extended to 1,759 yards, 1 yard short of 1 mile
and the longest tunnel in Ireland. It was a considerable
engineering operation which involved the sinking of
6 shafts along the line and mining and boring through
rock from each shaft. The deepest shaft was sunk to
200 ft. and the debris was conveyed to the top in large

buckets or skips."


Theres a fascinating article at http://www.poyntzpass.co.uk/history_lissummon_tunnel.htm

which includes riots, drunken navvies and police.

Tonka

cool. im not sure how i did that to my last post.

any ug matters.

there are today (ones closing soon) 3 operating zinc mines in Ireland, Lisheen near Thurles, Galmoy nearby and Tara mines underneath Navan.

There is a gypsum mine in Kingscourt and a salt mine at Carrickfergus on the shores of Belfast Lough. these two supply the bulk of plaster products and road salt in Ireland.

there are heaps of disused undergound mine workings in Ireland and the Geological Surveys for Ireland and Northern Ireland have mapped most of them. I have played with an online map system on both surveys websites.

Tonka

Last time i was in Dublin I saw shaft works for what I assume to be a service tunnel under the liffey on the south side of the Point near the eastlink toll plaza.

Theres a submerged "tunnel" being installed in Limerick.

The Belfast sewage project. Main contractors are Farren-MorganEst joint venture. their shaft sites are identifable by crawler cranes a passerby will notice a lot of activity but will never see anything been built haha.

T-Square

Victor wrote: »

It was a pedestrian bridge for workers to get from Palmerstown village to Farmleigh.

Sounds like they had better planning dept back then!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Palmerstown+Village,+Republic+of+Ireland&daddr=Farmleigh&hl=en&geocode=%3BCb3o9bSCVgNeFWpGLgMdFPue_yEHbEKaniVlKg&mra=pe&mrcr=0&sll=53.328222,-6.282491&sspn=0.138404,0.44632&ie=UTF8&ll=53.358697,-6.355762&spn=0.034576,0.11158&t=h&z=14

starn

Tonka wrote: »

there are heaps of disused undergound mine workings in Ireland and the Geological Surveys for Ireland and Northern Ireland have mapped most of them. I have played with an online map system on both surveys websites.

Ive used the online mapping on the GSI website. Are the locations of mines actually logged on it

L1011

Elephant Monkey wrote: »

I think there is also a tunnel from Houston to Connolly!!! That i'm not sure of but i heard that its a rail tunnel!

Will definately have been mentioned in the thread already; but yeah - it runs under the Phoenix Park; its still used. Rarely for passengers, mostly when theres bogball on...

paul4690

any body know of any tunnels under the phoenix park, im doin some research for a college assignment!!

AB03

Hmm, where did i find this thread!

starn

Apparently there is a MASSIVE salt mine outside Belfast in Kilroot. Anyone know anything about it ?

ScumLord

starn wrote: »

Apparently there is a MASSIVE salt mine outside Belfast in Kilroot. Anyone know anything about it ?

I've heard it has salt in it and it's massive. I read that on an internet forum so I don't know how reliable it is.

brendanuk

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blueprint/media/salt_mines_carrick.shtml

Tonka

starn wrote: »

Apparently there is a MASSIVE salt mine outside Belfast in Kilroot. Anyone know anything about it ?

yep i worked there for a short time.

dunno about MASSIVE. Tara mines in Navan has bigger sized chambers.

they mine conventional room and pillar. little water gets into the mine. so equipment that stays in the mine do not rust, wheras the landrovers and any other gear that goes in and out from the surface rot verily quickly.

check out http://www.irishsaltmining.com/ (click on the crystal of salt)

the_syco

Not sure if it was mentioned, but the tunnel from a tower, to the nearby lake is cool. It's located somewhere on the Dublin to Sligo route. Vague, but will get more info later. There's also a campsite on the grounds, along with lots of old buildings dotteed around it.

The tower used to be f**king massive, but I think there was a fire, and it was replaced by a smaller one. Don't know if there is access to the tower any more, though there used to be.

The tunnel is only a short one, but has many MANY rooms linked off it, which is cool.

/edit
It's at Lough Key. Some pictures of the tower on here: http://franklludwig.com/xloughkey2.html The photo's look rather old, as I remember it looking better when I was last there (due to government investment, I think).

starn

Tonka wrote: »

yep i worked there for a short time.

dunno about MASSIVE. Tara mines in Navan has bigger sized chambers.

they mine conventional room and pillar. little water gets into the mine. so equipment that stays in the mine do not rust, wheras the landrovers and any other gear that goes in and out from the surface rot verily quickly.

check out http://www.irishsaltmining.com/ (click on the crystal of salt)

Do you know if they give tours of the chamber in Tara or the salt mine ?

Tonka

Nope. no tours.

These are working industrial sites, unless you have valid excuse to come on site i think there would be little chance of getting a visit for rubbernecking porposes. These are not places for Joe Public to venture.

If you're interested in old mines check out The Mining Heritage Society of Ireland website .http://www.mhti.com/

there are a multitude of "chambers" at Tara mine, but they are short lived as they are quickly filled with engineered cemented backfill. The rooms at Kilroot salt mine are self supporting so do not need backfill.

Tonka

recent stabilisation and rehab work at old copper mines at Avoca


http://dolmactunnelling.com/images/stories/bma1.jpg

http://dolmactunnelling.com/images/stories/bma2.jpg

http://dolmactunnelling.com/images/stories/bma3.jpg

The_B_Man

I went to school in Synge Street in Dublin, which had a loada tunnels underground.

tried googlin for more info on them but just found this:
http://www.archiseek.com/content/showthread.php?t=514

Pal

starn wrote: »

Hi,
I'am in the process of writting a piece on hidden Ireland. there must be more beneath it then just a train tunnell

I'd use the spellchecker when the piece is writtin

JackKelly

and a time machine

S-Murph

Iv been in and explored the magazine fort in the park numerous times, and tbh, I very much doubt there is any tunnel system connecting it to anywhere else.

It has been suggested here that its connected via tunnel to the hospital in the park, Collins Barracks and Arbour hill.

I have looked for a any sort of tunnel entrace (even blocked) while there and have found nothing of the sort.

The only thing that comes close is the concrete bunker/weapons store

dunner09

there is one that goes underwater from loreto dalkey school to dalkey island

donalglackin

probably old but does anyone know about the caves on killiney beach i seen the entrance the other day but didnt have a torch

K4t

You can stand under my umbrella.:pac:

/Fail

Wild Bill

donalglackin wrote: »

does anyone know about the caves on killiney beach i seen the entrance

Indeed. You can read all about them in The Dalkey Archive (http://www.dalkeyarchive.com/catalog/show/26)

Papa_Lazarou

Dont know if this was mentioned in the last 19 pages but under daunt square in Cork there is a tunnel/sewer system. I dont know how big or small it is but have seen it dug up a few times. From what ive heard there are other tunnels around the city that a small boat could fit along.

Also i think theres a few tunnels down around Charles fort in Kinsale.

Kidchameleon

There are tunnells in Mill Lane, Palmerstown. Also there are tunnels under the big church in chapelizod.

allanb49

Loved reading this thread, 2 years going strong

mikemac

In Nenagh there was a tunnel between the jail and the courthouse.
You accessed it through the governors office. Or so I remember. It's a few hundred metres long

This wasn't uncommon, I'm sure many courthouses had tunnels leading to nearby jails

Edit: looking back I posted this in 2007

pvt.joker

There are tunnels from Leinster House running under Kildare street to the dept of enterprise and employment. Tunnels under the luas tracks from bridewell garda station to the 4 courts.

billy the squid

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

There's tunnels under the main streets in Limerick, they were built when the Georgian buildings were being built, though I think most have been converted into coal bunkers etc. There is also reputedly one under the Shannon from the city to the maternity hospital or the old barracks, not sure which. There is also reputedly an extensive tunnel network under Mountshannon house, near Limerick.

Afaik, there's also a series of medieval tunnels running under Galway city.

Limerick City Council also has a nuclear fall out shelter somewhere in the City Centre, the leader did a piece on it about five or so years ago.

Riamfada

there is a tunnel from The Portobello Pub through to Rathmines. The story goes that it was used to bypass a British checkpoint during the War of Independence. Apparently some lads were running guns through it when the Brits went to each end and shot down it, it was borded up and no one has been down since.

Mr_Roger_Bongos

Is the OP still about?

Was his piece ever finished? Im hoping for pics!

1968

Grimes wrote: »

there is a tunnel from The Portobello Pub through to Rathmines. The story goes that it was used to bypass a British checkpoint during the War of Independence. Apparently some lads were running guns through it when the Brits went to each end and shot down it, it was borded up and no one has been down since.

Very interesting.

Where did you first hear/read about this? Would be interested in finding more.

jif

theres tunnels under UCD

Victor

Grimes wrote: »

there is a tunnel from The Portobello Pub through to Rathmines. The story goes that it was used to bypass a British checkpoint during the War of Independence. Apparently some lads were running guns through it when the Brits went to each end and shot down it, it was borded up and no one has been down since.

Rather fanciful, seeing as there is a canal in the way.

pvt.joker wrote: »

There are tunnels from Leinster House running under Kildare street to the dept of enterprise and employment.

Then wouldn't TDs use it coming and going? But you instead ahve them using the pedestrain crossing.

Tunnels under the luas tracks from bridewell garda station to the 4 courts.

Are you sure it isn't between the Bridewell and the district court next door?

Papa_Lazarou wrote: »

Dont know if this was mentioned in the last 19 pages but under daunt square in Cork there is a tunnel/sewer system. I dont know how big or small it is but have seen it dug up a few times. From what ive heard there are other tunnels around the city that a small boat could fit along.

All the main streets in Cork are on former river channels.

S-Murph wrote: »

It has been suggested here that its connected via tunnel to the hospital in the park, Collins Barracks and Arbour hill.

There is a connection between Collins Barrack and St. Bricins Hospital, not St. Mary's Hospital.

blubloblu

I've been in the Bridewell tunnel and Victor is right. It brings you right into the middle of the district courtroom.

PeakOutput

there is a tunnel apparently leading from malahide castle right into malahide and it apparently comes out in a well that is now in the middle of gibneys pub in malahide

Riamfada

Victor wrote: »

Rather fanciful, seeing as there is a canal in the way.

It goes under the river ... or so the story goes.

OutlawPete

Sorry if been said but there is a Tunnel in Swords running from St Colmcilles Well to the Round Tower or so we were told growing up.

Then again there is footprints on the bottom step of the well which were told was caused by Brian Boru jumping off the tower :rolleyes:

Gravale

I lived in a large Victorian ? house on an 80-acre farm in Cuskinny, Cobh, Co. Cork 1963-1966. It had a tunnel just outside the back door which led all the way from the house on the hill down through the farmland to the front entrance at the seashore. I called there recently and found no sign of the entrance or exit. I suppose it's now just another tunnel whose location is lost to posterity - although I know where the entrance/exit is.

flas

there is also a tunnel from the army barracks in longford to the courthouse which also has a connection to the old hospital that was on the battery road in the town near enough the barracks!

mgmt

Im guessing its already been mentioned but

Nowadays, much of the lower course of the River Poddle is in a large brick tunnel under the city streets and Dublin Castle, and while access is restricted, it is walkable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Poddle

mgmt

mgmt wrote: »

Im guessing its already been mentioned but



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Poddle

Actually watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ygnHSLKLY

He walks around the Poddle tunnels.

murrayp4

A bit more Hollywood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br0JuXLrnVY&feature=fvw

cocoshovel

I remember when I was smaller my teacher mentioning that there was tunnels between that little church across from Powers funeral home in ferrybank and Reginalds towers. Not sure if its true or what but it sounds crazy, how deep would they have to build that to go under the river?

Dan133269

cocoshovel wrote: »

I remember when I was smaller my teacher mentioning that there was tunnels between that little church across from Powers funeral home in ferrybank and Reginalds towers. Not sure if its true or what but it sounds crazy, how deep would they have to build that to go under the river?

Ha I was just going to say I haven't read then 20 pages but someone probably mentioned this.
I worked for the museum in Waterford for the summer and the official line is that the existence of that tunnel is nonsense. Apparently there is no archaeological evidence for it whatsoever, they did up Reginald's tower about 6 years ago and had a good look as far as I know.
Despite that, locals will tell you, and have told me, they are 100 per cent certain their father, friend etc was down there. A common story is a man going down with his dog, and dog ends up being eaten alive by rats

cocoshovel

Dan133269 wrote: »

A common story is a man going down with his dog, and dog ends up being eaten alive by rats

Haha you gave me a nice memory jog there. I just remembered the teacher telling us the exact same story. Shame really, it sounded cool.

I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but there's supposedly some pretty cool tunnels in Galway too, if anyone is interested.

lordstilton

Having lived in Palmerstown all my life and doing some research into the history I have never heard of any tunnels in mill lane..nor can I find any reference