Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Mill - corn
Mountmurray, County Westmeath, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Mountmurray
- County
- Westmeath
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- SMR number
- WM011-164----
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
The precise location of this corn mill within the townland of Mountmurray has not been identified. One of four corn mills (WM011-161----/162-----/163----) depicted standing on the Golden Hand River on the 1659 Down Survey map of Leny parish. The terrier of the Down Survey parish map recorded that there was 'on the river of Golden hand foure corn mills in repaire' (NLI, MS 723-4). In 1682 Sir Henry Piers of Tristernagh described these mills as one of 'five overshaft mills, whereof the least hath a wheel twelve feet [3.65m] diameter; and one might have a wheel of eighteen feet [5.5m], beside which, seats might be found with convenience for more mills, if our country could find them employment. These mills are perennial, never dry, not in the greatest droughts I have seen' (Vallancey 1786, 17). These mills were located close to Mullenoran Bridge which derived its name from the existence of the mills. Mountmurray was formerly known as Ballenslott as depicted on the 17th century Down Survey maps.
Compiled & revised by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of revised upload: 7 December 2016
References
NLI, MS 723-4 - National Library of Ireland, The parish maps of the Down Survey for the County of Westmeath, attested by W. Petty, in 1659. Copied by Daniel O'Brien. A set of 67 maps with accompanying terriers in two volumes, 1786-7. Dublin.
Vallancey, C. (ed.) 1786 Collectanea de rebus hibernicis, Volume 1. Dublin. Luke White.