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County Waterford, Ireland
Villages
Bonmahon
description
from Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, 1837
BONMAHON, a maritime village, in the parish of BALLYLANEEN, barony of UPPERTHIRD, county of WATERFORD, and province of MUNSTER, 3 miles (S.) from Kilmacthomas; containing 972 inhabitants.
This place is situated on the coast of St. George’s Channel, and derives its name from the river Mahon, which rises in the Cummeragh mountains, and here falls into the sea. It is much frequented as a watering place during the summer and contains several neat private residences and convenient lodging houses for the accommodation of visitors ; and in the immediate vicinity are numerous houses built for persons employed in the mines. The beach is well adapted for bathing, and the village might be made a place of fashionable resort; but the land being principally the property of the College of Physicians who cannot grant leases for more than 31 years, very little improvement has been made. The surrounding scenery is pleasing, and a wooden bridge over the Mahon adds much to its picturesque character. A new church with a school house adjoining has been recently erected on the eastern side of the river, in the parish of Kilbarrymeadan; the school is supported by Lady Osborne.
The valuable
mines of this place and in the neighbourhood produce copper and lead, with
a portion of silver; they have been worked from an early period, and veins
have been opened in several parts and worked to a considerable extent. In
1745, a Company rented these mines from Lord Ranelagh, for a term of
31 years under an agreement to give to his Lordship one-eighth part of all
the ore obtained ; and the works were carried on in that spirit for eight
or ten years. They were subsequently worked by Mr. Wyse, who employed
300 men; and in 1811, the Earl of Ormonde renewed the enterprise, with
every prospect of success, but, after a very large expenditure, was induced
to desist; they are at present under the management of the Irish Mining
Company. The veins are found in some parts of the rock within a few feet
of the surface and none have been worked to a greater depth then 25 yards.
Copper ore is observed in many places along the beach. The principal mines
are the property of the Marquess of Ormonde, on the lands belonging
to the See of Waterford, and on those of Lady Osborne and J.
Power O’Shee, Esq.
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