With fewer of us out and about our fair isle, we might be missing the things we took for granted. One of those things is undoubtedly Ireland's incredible architecture, but as Building Ireland returns for its third season, we have a chance to get to know the beautiful buildings dotting the country.
The newest season kicked off with a bang, exploring the building of Dublin Airport's first terminal and the history of its former ballroom and cocktail receptions, as well as the engineering triumph that is the Transatlantic Telegraph Cable in Co. Kerry.
Tonight, however, the team will deep dive – literally – into the extensive copper mines of Allihies, in one of the most remote parts of the country.
Nestled away in the Beara Peninsula, these copper mines are of huge significance for the country. It was an important hub for work, with 1,600 miners digging for copper in the Berehaven Copper Mines at its peak.
It was the largest copper deposit in Europe at the time and the introduction of steam engine technology only increased productivity. The iconic steam engine houses, now in ruins, once serviced a labyrinth of mineshafts below. Now they stand amid the lush landscape, striking in their own right.
With our team of experts, geographer Susan Hegarty gets unique access to a subterranean world and overground explores the scale of industrial activity in this West Cork Valley. Geographer Mary Greene traces the history of the mines through the records, while engineer Tim Joyce explores its engineering legacy.
Watch Building Ireland on Thursdays at 8pm on RTÉ One.
