The type of coal mined here was anthracite, a hard, virtually smokeless fuel[2] with a high calorific value and relatively low ash content.

Due to the inclined coal layer acting as a slippage plane, substantial amounts of the deposits have been crushed and blended with the upper and lower boundary shale.

[3] Due to its high elevation, melting snow in the Slievardagh region intermittently resulted in large volumes of flood-water with a short 'Time of Concentration'.

According to the 1837 Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, The coal field, of which a considerable portion is within this parish, extends 7 miles in length and 3 miles in breadth: the coal is found in three distinct seams of 12, 18, and 24 inches in thickness, lying above each other at intervening distances varying from 90 to 140 feet, dipping to a common centre, and appearing at the surface on all sides: the extreme depth of the lowest seam is about 700 feet.

The coal beds lie about 1800 feet over a mass of limestone rock of great thickness, which shews itself at the surface all round on an average within two miles of the pits.

The name derived from the surnames of its two principals, Patrick Keating, a civil engineer originally from Ballylooby in Tipperary and Gilbert Howley, a native of County Mayo.

Initially the mines employed 34 miners and the Electricity Supply Board expressed an interest in using Ballingarry coal for the generation of power and so reduce its dependence on imported oil.

[12] However, in preliminary testing at a power station designed to burn peat, the high temperatures produced by the anthracite caused its fire-grates to overheat.

Financial irregularities regarding IDA grants were investigated by the Gardaí and highlighted on RTÉ current affairs programme Today Tonight.

It displays numerous artifacts relating to the mining heritage of the Slieve Ardagh region and is also intended as a social centre for former miners and their families.