Glenmalure Crusher Building, Co. Wicklow

Ireland’s industrial heritage is represented in the Adopt a Monument Scheme by a community from the picturesque Glenmalure, County Wicklow, who applied to adopt the large nineteenth century ore crusher building at Baravore. The two storey crusher building is constructed of cut stone granite and was built in 1859-60. It is recognised as undoubtedly the finest extant example of a rolls crusher house in Ireland today.

The building is erected into the slope of the hillside and its design and location were for two purposes: firstly to make use of a supply of water power from the moraine lake behind it and secondly to house the type of crushing apparatus it was to accommodate. It was constructed towards the end of the mining era in Baravore and still stands as a testament to the entrepreneurial pioneers and hard working miners of the nineteenth century who sought to make their living from the rich mineral lodes which lay hidden deep in these valleys.

The Crusher House was Adopted by the Glenmalure PURE Mile Committee

Glenmalure PURE Mile Committee was formed in 2013. The group undertakes research of the local, natural and built heritage of the area and communicates and shares this knowledge with the local community, tourists and visitors to the area. The group also endeavors to enhance the appearance of area’s hedgerows, gates and built heritage.

In 2016, the Adopt a Monument team and the group held a very successful information and storytelling evening where over 50 people from the locality came along to share stories about life in the valley in the past. The Adopt a Monument Scheme also helped the community group to liaise with the landowners – Coillte (Irish Forestry Commission) and Wicklow County Council to help to conserve and record the building and mining complex. In November 2016, conservation works (funded by Wicklow County Council and Coillte) were carried out on the ‘New Crusher Building’ to stabilise the walls and make the building safe for future generations. The work was carried out by experienced stone mason Kevin Carrigan under the direction of conservation architect Ivor McElveen.

A celebration weekend was held in March 2017 which involved tours of the valley, demonstrations by the stone masons that carried out the conservation works, a small archaeological excavation of the floor of the building and children’s events. This successful weekend was aimed at celebrating the fantastic work that had been carried to protect the building for future generations.

In 2018, the group turned their attention to the older, more fragile Crusher Building which was badly damaged in winter storms. The group hopes to continue working with Coillte and Wicklow County Council to carry out conservation works on that building and to open up more publicly accessible walks around the mining complex.

Follow the Glenmalure PURE Mile Group on Facebook to keep up with the latest news.

“This project is a dream come true as it provides national recognition of the significance of this historical building in our valley. Our efforts to record and raise public awareness of the rich mining heritage of Glenmalure will be greatly enhanced by being part of this scheme.”

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