Water mill - horizontal-wheeled

The National Monuments Service's description

In c. 1849 portion of a water mill, consisting of planks jointed together, was found at Ballymartin during drainage works (Anon. 1849-51, 33). According to Graves (ibid.), ‘It appeared that the workmen, in sinking the main drain about six feet [1.82m] under the surface, along the course of a small runnel of water, had encountered a frame-work of black bog-oak, consisting of a platform about eleven feet [33.53m] long by six [1.82m] broad. The scantling of the side beams was one foot [0.3m] by six inches [0.15m]; into which, at each end, were morticed cross pieces at right angles. The frame thus formed supported a floor of oak boards, some of them three feet [0.91m] wide, and all of them about two inches [0.05m] in thickness. There were mortices for uprights at the angles, but no remains of such uprights existed. The workmanship of the mortices, and one or two holes made by an auger, evinced the use of good tools on the part of the workmen, who, however, did not appear to be acquainted with the saw, as the boards were dressed with an axe’ (Anon. 1850-1, 154-5). The precise location of this water mill is unknown within the townland.

References

Anon. 1849-51 Ancient Irish water-mills. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, vol. 1, 154-5.

Anon. 1849-51 Ancient timber structures. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, vol. 1, 33.