Overlooking the city from the Dublin Mountains is 18th-century chimney with exterior spiral staircase of the Ballychorus Lead Mines, Ireland
Overlooking the city from the Dublin Mountains are the remnants of the Ballychorus Lead Mines operated by the Mining Company of Ireland. The chimney and underground flue are unique structures, apparently regarded as the finest example in the British Isles. In the 1770s it was discovered additional lead could be extracted from a furnace if the vapors could be trapped long enough to precipitate the lead. The 2km long granite flue was constructed to trap lead particles from the furnace at Ballychorus to the chimney that expelled the poisonous fumes. Sadly, the top third of the chimney and the lower section of the external stair were removed due to safety concerns, but it still leaves a curious and intriguing example of whimsical industrial architecture. This image appears in "Irish Follies and Whimsical Architecture" by George Munday and published by O'Brien Press in Dublin.
Size: 3660px × 5336px
Location: Ballychorus Lead Mines, Dublin Mountains, County Dublin, Ireland
Photo credit: © George Munday / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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