Drummond Corn Mill

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Former corn mill in north west corner of present timber yard. Largest building renovated and used as a staff canteen. Lower building adjoining in line is derelict, but with surviving machinery, it is used as a tyre store. There are also remains of a mill race, wheel and electric generator/engine room.

The renovated building is two storeys high, three structural bays long, with recently replaced slate roof, exposed rafters at eaves level, cast iron rainwater goods, pigmented render and new timber casement windows, subdivided into 12 panes. The windows at first floor are directly under the eaves on the main south west facade. Two are grouped near each end with a single window off centre. Below windows align, though in the canteen at the north west end a larger window has been created from the original two while at the south east end they have been reduced in height. On the centre of the elevation two sheeted doors are protected by a lean-to roof detailed to match the main, it is supported by four timber columns. The north west gable has another enlarged window to the canteen. Land rises steeply to the north east elevation at the rear where a door accesses the first floor.

The lower building is also two storey but its eaves is approximately 1.5 metres lower than its neighbour. It is built of basalt with brick trim around the openings and at the eaves. On the south west facade an arched entrance is flanked by a window opening to the north west .There is also a window above. A second opening is to the south east and further along there is a second opening at first floor level. The wall carries past the end of the roof to the ‘engine room’ and in front of the former water wheel. There is an iron railing over the wheel at high level. To the rear the ground level rises to first floor and two windows light the interior. In the centre of the south west facade is a stone plaque trimmed in brick stating “July 1831”.

The ‘engine room’ is of concrete block construction with asbestos roof and is single storey.

The mill race can be clearly made out approaching the mills. At the corn mill it is deflected at right angles towards the wheel house. Before arriving at the cast iron grill over the wheel there is a small sluice to one side presumably for overflow water.

Historical information

Described in Ordnance Survey Memoirs as ’Corn mill in Drummond townland, breast wheel 12 feet 8 inches in diameter, rim 14 inches broad, fall of water 10 feet cog wheel 10 feet in diameter. Can grind two barrels per hour; idle for some time in summer from want of water. An excellent house, built of stone and lime, slated, on the estate of Marcus McCausland Esquire’ Two flax mills and wheel are also described in the townland, these no longer remain. The 1858 valuation gives the proprietor as James Irwin, Corn and Flax Mills Val: £28.00. The mill was in use until the early part of this century. Electricity was generated until the 1950s. It is no longer part of the Drenagh Estate.

References:

Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland Vol. 9 p. 53.
1858 Valuation Book.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A partially renovated corn mill with some remaining workings, of 1831. The alterations detract from the original appearance of the group. Important as a surviving example of local 19th century industry and for its historical connection to the nearby Drenagh Estate.