Two clear themes stand out when planning a trip to Silvermines: its mining history, which dates back to at least 1298, and the Slieve Felim Way, a 43-kilometre route that ends in the former mining village. Other highlights include Our Lady of Lourdes Church, a distinctive landmark, and cultural events at the Silvermines Community Centre. This gives you different priorities to consider when planning: local history and religious heritage on the one hand, and a two-day hike on the other.
Mining History and the Church
Mining in Silvermines dates back to at least 1298; the last active mine, the barite mine at Magcobar, closed in 1993. The village’s history therefore has two clearly dated milestones: an early record of mining and the closure of the last active mine.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church has a cruciform plan, stained-glass windows and a bell tower, making it a distinctive landmark in Silvermines. Its dedication is also notable: only two churches in the Diocese of Killaloe are named after Saint Bernadette, and this is one of them. Alongside its mining history, Silvermines therefore offers a clearly defined religious and architectural theme to include in your travel plans. The cruciform plan describes the overall layout, while the windows and tower are individual architectural features; the landmark can thus be understood both through its form and its dedication.
Culture at the Silvermines Community Centre
The Silvermines Community Centre hosts talks on the village’s mining history, exhibitions and cultural projects that highlight Silvermines’ distinctive identity in County Tipperary. If you plan to attend a particular talk or project, check its date in advance.
The Slieve Felim Way
The Slieve Felim Way is a 43 km linear long-distance walking route. It starts in Murroe, passes through the foothills and around Slieve Felim, Keeper Hill and the Silvermine Mountains, and ends in the former mining village of Silvermines. The route is moderate, designed to be completed over two days, and has a total cumulative ascent of 870 m. The 43 kilometres refer to the route length; two days indicate the estimated duration, while 870 m describes the cumulative ascent. These figures therefore answer different planning questions about distance, duration and elevation profile. From various viewpoints along the route, you can see parts of all four counties—Tipperary, Limerick, Clare and Offaly—as well as stretches of the River Shannon. The route offers a clearly defined hiking focus, while the mining history and church provide a cultural dimension to Silvermines.
Rural Architecture in the Parish
In the wider surrounding area, across the entire parish of Silvermines, traditional stone farmhouses and cottages with slate roofs, whitewashed walls and simple layouts shape the rural character. This description applies to the whole parish, whereas the details about the church refer to a single building in Silvermines. Unlike the individual church, the houses and cottages are a recurring feature of rural architecture throughout the parish.
Discover more destinations: Ballyquirk, Lorrha, Holycross, Ballinderry, Templemore, Thurles, Carrig, Roscrea
For the broader travel overview: North Tipperary.
