Leitrim's industrial history takes centre stage in new RTE series
RTE’s Building Ireland series will focus on Leitrim and Roscommon’s industrial past when it airs on Tuesday night.
The episode focuses on the story of the Lough Allen basin and how access to the River Shannon helped transform Leitrim into an industrial powerhouse, driving mining, transport and economic growth.
The basin, with its rich deposits of iron and coal, abundant water, and access to the River Shannon, helped transform Leitrim into a point of industrial mining that eventually petered out in 1990 with the closure of the Arigna mines.
Geographer Susan Hegarty explores how the unique geography of the Lough Allen Basin underpinned generations of industry.
“The younger lads followed their fathers and grandfathers into the mines because that's what they knew, that's what they were hearing at home, you know, and that was the main industry in the area,” said Valerie Stenson, manager of the Arigna Mining Experience.
Presenters include Architect Orla Murphy, Engineer Tim Joyce, and Geographer Susan Hegarty, who explored how the unique geography of the Lough Allen Basin underpinned generations of industry in the area
Architect Orla Murphy traces how this industrial wealth reshaped the region's built environment, focusing on Kilronan Castle, built in the 1820s by the Dunas family. The house was then sold to the Tenison family, the powerful Earls of Kingston, who made their wealth by exploiting natural resources.
Meanwhile, Engineer Tim Joyce examines how transport infrastructure continued to reshape the region as industry evolved.
The Building Ireland airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Tuesday at 7pm.