About

About us

Heart of Connemara’s Rich heritage

Glengowla Mines & Family Farm Experience is proudly owned and operated by Keith Geoghegan and his family, who have called Glengowla home for generations. The Geoghegan’s are deeply rooted in this land, from working the mine, farming the land, and living at the heart of Connemara’s rich heritage.

About us

Unique Visitor Experience

At Glengowla Mines and Family Farm Experience you will find lots to do- an Underground Mine Tour, Sheep Herding and Traditional Irish Turf Cutting Demonstrations.

Glengowla Mines & Family Farm Experience are owned and run by Keith Geoghegan. The mines and farm have been intrinsically entwined with the Geoghegan family for generations. Their ancestors have lived in Glengowla and worked in the mine and farmed the land. After the mine closed, they moved into the Mine Agent’s Cottage and continued to live in the cottage until 1989.

experiences

Book A Tour

Underground Mine Tour

Guided tour

Book Tour

Sheep Herding Demonstration

Guided tour

Book Tour

Turf-Cutting Demonstration

Guided tour

Book Tour

Since opening to the public in 1998, Glengowla Mines has welcomed thousands of visitors from around the world, offering a rare glimpse into the life of an Irish silver and lead miner in the 1800s.

our story

A Family Farm Beyond Mining

Glengowla Mines is more than just a mine, it’s also a working family farm. The land has been farmed continuously for centuries, and many visitors have taken an interest in this. This inspired Keith to share more of the everyday workings of the farm, including sheep herding demonstrations with his talented sheepdog.

Another highlight is our traditional turf cutting demonstrations, where guests can experience the smell of a turf fire and even try their hand at cutting turf themselves. You will also learn about the importance of our bogs in today’s life, while giving you a true taste of the meaning of bogs in Irish history and rural life.

film set locations

And...Action!

Over the years, the beauty and authenticity of Glengowla Mines have also caught the eye of filmmakers, with the site serving as a backdrop for various films and TV series.

Find out more about filming at Glengowla Mines

About US

A Tribute to Heritage

Glengowla Mines & Family Farm is a living tribute to heritage, hard work, and the enduring connection between people and place. From deep underground to wide open hills, we invite you to explore our story and make it part of your own.

testimonials

What Our Visitors Say

testimonials

What Our Visitors Say

    
 
 
         
   Michelle W 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing place and.the owner Keith and his dog Pip are so sweet and kind. The gift shop is perfect. We came from Canada to visit this lovely place. Thank you very much for your hospitality.
  
 
        
   Noel Leanos Mejia 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The mine is very nice and the sheep herding is very impressive
  
 
        
   Carlos Cardona 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend stopping by.
  
 
        
   Morgan Allen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We visited today while with our tour group, and the sheep-herding demonstration was my favorite thing to see and do so far. Such a sweet family who own and run this working farm and mine. We learned so much about the sheep we’ve been seeing all over the Irish countryside, and were absolutely amazed with the skills of the dogs. If I could move into their precious cottage today, I would have. Such a peaceful and beautiful environment here. And you can find many Irish souvenirs from their gift shop to take home with you. It was nice to be able to purchase many of the items I have been looking to purchase before finishing vacation, and I’m so happy my purchases went to support their family-run business. If you’re in the area or planning a trip to Ireland, definitely add this stop to your itinerary! You won’t regret the visit.
  
 
        
   Billie Jo - Pete Steen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were here for the sheep herding demonstration. It was amazing!  I highly recommend!
  
 
        
   Paige Allen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. By far our favorite stop in Ireland thus far! Thank you for sharing your farm with us. 🤍
  
 
        
   John H 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing informative stuff on the Farm today. Keith showed and explained so many details of the changes they face today as Farmers.
  
 
        
   Erika Cisneros L 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great visit, informative and fun.  Loved it