Conlig and Whitespots Lead Mines

Overview

Once the largest lead mining complex in Ireland, producing around a third of the country's total lead output — closed not by exhaustion but because a Marquis bought out its leases to protect the peace of his nearby home.

History

Lead was first discovered on the Ballyleidy (later Clandeboye) estate near Newtownards in the late 18th century, and the first recorded trial working, in 1780, was leased to a partnership called the Bangor and Newtown Mining Company, though this early attempt largely failed. A cost-book company formed on the Isle of Man in February 1827 to work the Newtownards (Whitespots) mines proved more durable, and mining reached its peak between 1849 and 1864. Conlig and the neighbouring Whitespots workings together grew into the largest lead mining complex in Ireland, worked intermittently from at least 1780 to 1899 and yielding an estimated 13,500 tonnes of lead metal — around a third of all lead ever produced in Ireland. Mining finally ended in the 1860s-1910 period when a descendant of the first Marquis of Dufferin and Ava bought out the mining leases, reportedly out of a personal dislike for having such heavy industry so close to his residence, rather than because the ore was exhausted.

Geology

Conlig and Whitespots worked lead veins within the same mineralised structure, close enough together to be treated as a single mining complex.

Workings

Ore was worked from multiple shafts across the linked Conlig and Whitespots setts, with surviving remains including engine houses, chimney stacks, spoil heaps and tailings impoundments.

Closure

Mining ended when a descendant of the First Marquis of Dufferin and Ava bought out the leases, reportedly to end heavy industry near his residence rather than because the ore was worked out.

What remains

The site survives as a recognised area of geological and industrial heritage interest, with capped shafts and standing structures.

Several spoil heaps, tailings impoundments, capped mine shafts, and standing engine houses and chimney stacks survive across the site.

Abandoned workings can be dangerous — unstable ground, uncapped shafts, flooding and bad air are common even where a site looks safe from the surface. This entry describes history and general location only; it is not an access guide.

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• Conlig and Whitespots together yielded an estimated 13,500 tonnes of lead metal, around a third of all lead ever produced in Ireland, making it the country's largest lead mining complex. ^1,2
• Mining reached its peak between 1849 and 1864, following the formation of a cost-book company on the Isle of Man in 1827 to work the Whitespots mines. ³
• Mining ended when a descendant of the First Marquis of Dufferin and Ava bought out the mining leases, reportedly owing to his dislike of heavy industry so close to his residence, rather than exhaustion of the ore. (uncertain) ²

Sources

1. (primary) Whitespots-Conlig mines — Mindat
2. (secondary) Whitespots Leadmines, Conlig, Co. Down — WartimeNI
3. (secondary) Conlig and Whitespots Lead Mines — Bangor Historical Society NI

Record created: 21 August 2026 · Last researched: 21 August 2026