Corn Drying Shed

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Corn drying shed is part of mill complex.

Small storey and a half stone building adjacent to the former mill race to a corn mill (HB02/03/017) situated in woods at the edge of the former Largy bleach green in the Roe Valley Country Park.

Building aligns east west. The east elevation is a gable topped by a brick chimney. A door to the south has a stone cill one metre above ground level. The door is recent, the brick surround and segmental head older. There are brick quoins in the corners and along the line of the central flue. The upper part of the wall over the door has a rough harling render. A concrete string course detail sits out as the wall meets the slates.

The north elevation has a lower ground level and a single door opening with flat painted stone lintel to the west. The door is modern. The opening is trimmed in brick. There is a 300mm deep band of render along the eaves.

The west elevation has a lean-to shed with corrugated metal roof abutting the gable. There is one opening at high level two to the shed and a door abutting the gable on the south side.

The north elevation is covered in undergrowth.

Historical information

Reputed to be a corn drying shed where corn seeds were dried prior to processing at the nearby corn mill. There is no indication that this shed could be considered medieval like its neighbouring mill from any of the material examined. The building is shown on the 1830 Ordnance Survey Map though not labelled as a mill. It has no labelling in subsequent Ordnance Survey Editions. It is indicated as having kept its roof on all editions and was probably used for farm storage after the linen industry in the valley declined. The building is sometimes referred to as the bothy. It probably was used as a shelter with a fire by farm labourers. It is now used for storage of gardening equipment by the Roe Valley Country Park who have carried out the most recent renovations.

Reference:

OSS 1830& 1848
Roe Valley Country Park Records
Industrial Heritage Reference: 1680: 2

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A small building associated with the history of milling on the River Roe. Of interest historically because of this. Of little architectural interest.