The Start of the Manx Mining Trail?

The Isle of Man has a rich history of mining and it is finally going to be celebrated in what it is hoped will become a trail across the island.

This summer, Luke Hegarty, a UCM History and Heritage student was engaged by DEFA and DfE to prepare designs for interpretive signage for a series of mining sites on DEFA land.

Evidence of the mining past can still be seen all over the island in the form of chimneys, engine houses, wheel casings and adits. There is, however, very little in the way of on-site interpretation, with the exception of the Laxey Valley and its Lady Isabella Wheel.

Luke’s work involved in-depth research to locate suitable content for the information boards that will appeal to a range of locals and visitors.

Expert knowledge and information was obtained from The Manx Mining Group and Manx National Heritage. Pete Geddes MBE provided schematic interpretations of how the mines would have appeared in their heyday.

DEFA said: ‘Over the up-coming months, the Department plans to disseminate the information collated via onsite signage and web based solutions. With hundreds of local mining sites across our island, it is hoped that this could be the start of a Manx Mining Trail across the whole of the island that might appeal to locals and tourists alike.’