Allihies Copper Mine Museum 2025
Co. Cork
Within the park is the gunpowder mills complex with the network of sluices and canals that were installed in the grounds and used in the manufacturing process, along with most of the original buildings. Gunpowder was manufactured on the site from the 18th century to the start of the 20th century. From here it was transported to Cork city and the Port of Cork for supply to the British Armed Forces worldwide.
Address: Ballincollig Regional Park Lackenshoneen Ballincollig Co. Cork IRELAND
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It was is the second largest Gunpowder Mills in Britain and in Ireland. Located in the Ballincollig Regional Park the site covers approximately 52 hectares (130 acres) and the linear Powder Mills run along 2.4 kms of the River Lee. This is Ireland’s largest and most important industrial archaeological site. Today the remains of about 100 buildings associated with the gunpowder manufacturing process survive. Many of the buildings are in very poor repair, and are rapidly being over powered by out of control vegetation and tree growth.
Ballincollig was chosen for the development of a gunpowder manufacturing facility due to the availability of a large area of flat land in the valley, the proximity to Cork City, and reliable water power were key reasons. The Powder Mills was originally developed in 1794 by Cork man Charles Leslie from Wilton, and his partner John Travers. They built a weir and main canal 1.5 miles long. By 1801 the mills were a highly productive and prosperous concern. In 1805 they sold the property for €30,000 to the British Board of Ordnance, the Government Department responsible for the defence of the realm.
The British Board of Ordnance required the Powder Mills production to help meet the British Army demands for gunpowder for the Napoleonic Wars and they carried out a major expansion of the then existing Powder Mills. The site was enlarged from 90 acres to 431 acres, and the Ballincollig Cavalry Barracks was built in 1810 to provide added security for the Mills. A hight perimeter stone wall that still survives today was built, together with four Watch Houses.