Castlecomer coal mine no longer deemed economical and looks set to be shut down.
Coal mining has been going on in this area of Kilkenny for about three centuries and the Deerpark pit has been worked for about forty years. Castlecomer Collieries Ltd is now pulling out of the Deerpark pit due to the depletion of coal reserves and the uneconomic cost of extracting the remaining coal. The mine is due to close on 30 July 1965.
When the pit closes, 340 people will lose their jobs with a loss of about four thousand pounds a week in weekly wages to the town of Castlecomer.
The miners are not optimistic about their future fearing that they will not be able to find alternative employment. Many believe that they will have to leave Castlecomer to find work.
Tom Brennan, chairman of the local branch of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union (ITGWU), says that the writing has been on the wall for the pit for some time. He believes that government intervention is required to find alternative employment for these workers.
There's no hope for Castlecomer.
Castlecomer Miner, 1965
Company officials were not willing to comment on camera on the situation.
This episode of 'Newsbeat’ was broadcast on 22 July 1965.
The Castlecomer mine subsequently received government investment but finally closed in 1969.
