The Arigna Mining Experience is a centre dedicated to the coal mining history of Arigna over a period of 400 years, local geology and coal, as well as new forms of renewable energy.

The history of mining in Arigna goes back to the 1700s, where coal was extracted from one of the narrowest seams known.

[2] Opened in the 1600s by Charles Coote, it changed ownership many times, including the United Irishmen the O'Reilly brothers, and then by local families.

The coal was extracted originally for use in the processing of iron ore, as both nearby Sliabh an Iarainn and the Arigna River contain deposits the ore. Dublin's Ha'penny Bridge is made of Arigna iron.

[3] The exhibitions on the geology of the area cover the different formations that are found there, including sandstones, siltstones, mudstones and coal measures.