Mulreesh

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Former machine house in Mulreesh
Former sink of the lead mine

Mulreesh , also Mullreesh or Mulrese , is a derelict town on the Scottish Hebridean island of Islay . Mulreesh was in the northeast of the island about 2.5 kilometers west of the Port Askaig ferry terminal and about twelve kilometers northeast of Bowmore , the island's capital. The closest localities were Keills in the southwest and Balulive in the north, which is now also uninhabited . At the 1841 census, Mulreesh still had 56 people. Ten years later the population had already dropped to 31 people.

In the past there were various lead mines in the area up to Ballymartin to the west . The largest of these mines extended over a length of 700 m in Mulreesh. It has been in operation since the time of the Viking colonization of the island and reached its peak in the 18th century. It was finally closed in the second half of the 19th century, making it the last active lead mine on the island. In addition to shafts in the landscape, various mine buildings have been preserved. The former machine house, which is now in ruins, was inhabited until the 1970s. In addition to the ruins of the building, 500 m south of the machine house are the remains of a wash basin for sedimentation of the lead ores. Parts of the 1.5 m thick boundary wall are still preserved today.

Surroundings

700 m north of Mulreesh are the earth-covered foundations of a chapel called Cill Eileagain . The 5.5 m × 3 m interior of the building was surrounded by one meter thick walls. The chapel was located in the middle of a cemetery on which cross slabs were found dating from the 9th to 11th centuries. Century to be dated. A cross-decorated stone stylistically resembles cross plates, as they were made on Iona in the 10th century and is exhibited in the Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte . Other cross plates bear dates from the 14th and later centuries.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Scotland Census 1841
  2. ↑ Scotland Census 1851
  3. ↑ Entry on Carnbeg Mine  in Canmore, the database of Historic Environment Scotland (English)
  4. ↑ Entry on Lead Mines Reservoir  in Canmore, the database of Historic Environment Scotland (English)
  5. ↑ Entry on Lead Mine Office  in Canmore, the database of Historic Environment Scotland (English)
  6. ↑ Entry on Cill Eileagain  in Canmore, the database of Historic Environment Scotland (English)

Coordinates: 55 ° 50 ′ 30 ″  N , 6 ° 9 ′ 6 ″  W.