Loftus Hall

Several people have suggested checking out Loftus Hall to me. The truth is that I did Loftus Hall about a year and a half ago and I'm not sure whats going on there with regards to its new owners so its probably not a good idea to go back there at the moment. There's a facebook page for the house which is being run by somebody who claims to be the security guard. He recently posted a pic of a hole in the ceiling claiming that it was the hole that the devil passed through. This is despite the fact the legend of the devils appearance actually occured in "Redmond Hall" which was demolished in 1870/1871 and was replaced by the current structure.
The security guard also mentions that there is a possibility that the house could be demolished by its new owners, who reportedly purchased the site for the adjoining land. I'm no expert in planning laws or heritage guidelines, but surely it must be a listed building and therefore no application to demolish the structure would be approved. Basically, the only outcome that I can personally see for the hall is that it will be left to rot.
So what did I make of the Hall ? Well, I didn't find it srary ! It does have an eerie feeling throughout the whole site and grounds, but nothing that would deter me from wanting to get inside it ! Despite the fact that the house is alarmed and a security guard is employed to deter intruders, We spent several hours surveying the house exterior and its outbuildings without interruption. Many of the outbuildings were full of rubbish from its days as a hotel and surprisingly, there was a far more unsettling feeling in parts of the old walled in garden than there was in any other part of the site. A pair of beautifully ornate old greenhouses had become so obscured with overgrowth that they were barely distinguishable.
If this house and grounds were ever to be restored, it would need millions spent on it. As the new owners specifically bought the site for the agricultural land that surrounds it, I see no possibility of this happening and it appears that the "legend" of Loftus Hall will eventually fade into obscurity along with the house itself.
(Nallo)


Oh, here's a gallery from Flickr of photos taken from inside the house. These photos are not mine !!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32677070@N04/

Silvermines

I've spent literally a month of Mondays looking for these mines, (and I mean 30 Mondays, not 4 !!).
I first spotted them on Tarquin Blakes "Abandoned Ireland" website where he referred to them as "The Lost Mines of County Wicklow" and created an elaborate bullshit story about how a guide blindfolded him and brought him off up into the wicklow mountains, only to remove the blindfold at the entrance.
They're not in Co. Wicklow !!
Basically the "lost mines" are a culmination of several different mining sites around the village of Silvermines in Tipperary. I believe that the attention that abandoned Ireland has brought upon this site, has prompted recent measures to clean up and secure the sites, some of which are extremely hazardous.
The earliest buildings in the area, (Cornish engine houses, above) have been maintained and people are free to visit them. The next site we encountered consisted of some kind of recycling plant for spent mine material. These buildings are due to be demolished as part of the rejuvenation project. The last site we visited, (Shallee Mine) is probably the most dangerous. Most of the old buildings and a large area of open shafts have been securely fenced off, and even though I was eyeing up the gap under the gate that led to the shafts, my good sense, (Natalie!!) warned me against it !
Basically, I can understand why Tarquin Blake was reluctant to reveal the true location of this place, after all, it is dangerous, but to deliberately mislead people in such a way ? It would make me wonder how much of the other material on his site is bollocks too ??!!
(Nallo)

The Silvermines Tipperary

Monday 05/09/2011

Dragged out of bed at 4am, mood only eased by the steaming hot cup of coffee. flask filled, car packed and we're off! off in search of the abandoned Silvermines in Tipparary. Given the town is called Silvermines you would assume that they would have been staring us in the face! after a few spins around the village, few drive ways pulled into and a some disconcerting looks from villagers (especially the postman we were stalking) we found ourselves taking in a breath taking view with a cuppa cha!

The area has been mined from the 6th century till 1986 for lead, silver, zinc, copper and barytes. Due to the amount of cattle deaths and for peoples safety the North Tipperary County Council is responsible for having the rehabilitation scheme executed.