muinéir

Muinéir is a term of Irish origin that broadly translates to "miner" or "one who works in a mine." Historically, it would have referred to individuals engaged in the extraction of minerals, ores, or coal from the earth. The specific context of "muinéir" would depend on the type of mining activity prevalent in a particular region of Ireland.

The work of a muinéir would have been physically demanding and often dangerous. They would have been responsible for tasks such as digging, blasting, and transporting extracted materials. The tools and techniques employed would have evolved over time, from simple hand tools to more sophisticated machinery. Communities often grew around mining sites, with the livelihood of the muinéir directly impacting the local economy.

While the term itself is straightforward, the social and economic implications of mining and the role of the muinéir in Irish history are multifaceted. It speaks to a specific type of labor and a significant industry that shaped landscapes and communities. The legacy of mining, and by extension the work of the muinéir, can still be seen in some parts of Ireland today.