I spent last weekend in Ireland attending the AGM of the Mining Heritage
Society of Ireland on the Sunday I was privileged to visit with the Society,
the remains of Deer Park Colliery. We were guided by Seamus Walsh who has
written the book reviewed below. I knew from the book that Seamus has a
passion for the site and I have to say that sheer emotion he showed us as he
walked around the site and stood by the bricked entrance to the Drift and
read a poem he had written about the mine and its closure, brought tears to
the eyes. Over 600 people were employed at or in the mine which considering
the green field site would have been impossible to imagine without Seamus to
guide you around. During its lifetime 15 people were killed and each time
the mine closed for in respect of the deaths. The Anthracite coal contained
no sulpher and was the best quality in Europe. The coal was transported by
rail although little remains of the railway itself.

In the book there are several poems, I am not a great lover of poetry, after
visiting the site I read the verses in the book and I could not help but be
moved.

We were shown a documentary video taken at the time of the closure which was
very emotive a lot of the miners looked old before their time many were
broken men with little or no chance of local employment. A local group are
hoping to develop a mining museum, using plentiful photographs and
artefacts. In Castlecomer itself one of the pubs is called the Coal Miners
complete with two large murals on the Frontage one of the Minesite and
another with a coal miner complete with pick working in the 18" seam.
Although we did not have time to go into the pub (we were in another on
Barrack Street - can't remember the name where the food is reported to be a
lot better) I am told there are lots of pictures and artefacts decorating
the walls.

If you are planning a visit to Ireland, can I suggest you find time to visit
this village that is a little off the normal tourist areas yet only one
hours drive from Dublin. If you contact Seamus assuming he is not at work I
am sure he would be only too pleased to show you around. You too will be
impressed by the enthusiasm and hope of this small community that was hit
like many others with mine closures

In the Shadow of the Mines, Joe and Seamus Walsh, p/b 217pp quarto, a very
well written book on the Castlecomer Coal Mines in County Kilkenny, a Social
and Economic historic of Deerpark Colliery which closed in 1969 Joe worked
in the mine and kept a Journal which was continued by Seamus until the mine
closed in 1969. The book contains lots of unique photographs both surface
and underground, there is even a photo gallery of the miners themselves,
also would you believe a couple of pages of mining poetry. Also includes are
photographs of Rossmoor Colliery County Laois where Joe was manager. This is
a very impressive book, will be collectable,is well worth the money £10.00
add £2.00 p&p






Mike Moore Mining and Caving Bookseller
 WWW.moorebooks.co.uk
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