sliabh an iarainn visitor centre

A number of particularly important features of the area are given special treatment.

Mining of Coal and Iron
Sweathouses
The Cavan and Leitrim Railway

Coal & Mining Heritage:
The Arigna area of Roscommon and the adjacent mountains of Co Leitrim were famous for coal and iron mining. From as early as the 15th century iron was mined in the area. Coal mining became more prominent in the 19th century.

Sweathouse:
The Lough Allen area is the home of the sweat house. Sweathouses were used as a cure for aches and pains, somewhat similar to the modern sauna. Built of stone with a small opening or doorway, a big turf fire would be lit for hours inside. When it was sufficiently hot, the fire was removed quickly and the patient crawled into the sweathouse and sat on a bundle of rushes or straw. When he or she had sweated sufficiently they emerged and took a dip in a running stream. The centre has a reconstruction of a sweathouse with realistic background and setting. While in the area you can also visit a real sweathouse. In July 1990, centuries of a mining tradition ended with the closure of the last of the coal mines. The centre has a display depicting miners at work and tells the story of the one and only great industry of the area.

The Cavan & Leitrim Railway:
The Cavan and Leitrim railway was one of the most memorable systems in Ireland. It ran on a narrow gauge line and linked the Leitrim towns of Drumshanbo, Mohill and Ballinamore. For most of the journey between Drumshanbo and Ballinamore it ran alongside the public road and crossed at a number of bends. Despite many protests the railway closed in 1959. The centre has a re-creation of a ticket and waiting room as well as many fine pictures of the railway.