Forwarding this important information. I had asked about the Arigna mine in Ireland and received this answer with the title of a good reference book: The nearest coal mines of any importance appears to be Arigna on the Leitrim Sligo border near county Roscommon. Other minerals were mined in county Mayo. The dates given are usually from a written record while the mining itself could be carried on, sometimes intermittently, over a wide time frame. Copper was mined at: Geevraun (Horse Island), 1861. Sralaghy near Belmullet. c. 1892. Bolinglanna (Benderg) near Clew Bay. c. 1861. Srahmore. c. 1784. Pegmatite was mined or quarried at: Termoncarragh. Doolough Peninsula. Iron carbonate was mined at: Mullenmore North c. 1700's. Carrignahelty c. 1879. Bog Iron Ore was raised at: Ballina c. 1883. Lead was mined at: Sheeffry (Tawnycrower) between Westport and Leenane, c. 1800's. Steatite was extracted at: Claggan on Achill Island, c. 1879. Sulphur ore and possibly arsenic was mined at: Gubnabinniaboy near Clew Bay, c. 1879. Jim McDonald > > culrua@iol.ie > > Source: Cole, G.A.J, (1922) '...Mines in Ireland.' Facsimile Ed., > Published > > by the Mining Heritage Society, 1998. > > > > > > >