Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Ballykeel Flax Mills
Ballykeel, Newry, Mourne and Down, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- Mill
- Date of construction
- 1820 - 1839
- Address
- Ballykeel Flax Mills, Anthony’s Rd, Ballymartin, Kilkeel, Newry, Co Down, BT34 4PN
- Townland
- Ballykeel
- Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.08011, -5.96630
- Date of survey
- 23 July 1997
- HB reference
- HB16/02/051
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1799 "Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
A small complex of buildings on the west bank of the Mullagh River.
At the north end of the complex are the remains of the water-powered scutch mill - one-storey random rubble granite building, now roofless. At its south end is a two-storey rubble granite building of similar construction, now a store.
The steam-powered mill to the south of the above mill is one-storey high with a slate gabled roof, cement-rendered walls and shuttered windows. Its north east facade has been rebuilt with concrete blocks and new doors inserted. Abutting its west gable is the former boiler house, beside which is a tapered brick chimney standing to its full height on a granite base.
Historical information
A bleaching establishment belonging to John Walmsley is recorded here in 1819; it ceased work in 1830. By 1852, a flax scutchingmill was operational under James Walmsley. Its four stocks, powered by a 20ft by 4ft waterwheel, were probably housed in the defunct bleach mill. A steam-driven mill containing ten stocks and flax breaker was operational by 1867; this equipment apparently came from Floyd's mill in Market Square, Kilkeel. The steam mill had stopped by 1878, but water-powered operations seemingly continued for some time thereafter. The steam mill sustained fire damage in 1912 but was refurbished by Robert Forsythe at a cost of £1500 and worked by him from 1919 until 1933. The water-powered mill was subsequently used for a time to crush grain.
Primary Sources:
1. PRONI - VAL 1B/390B, pp. 163-4.
2. PRONI -VAL 2B/3/81G, p.75.
3. PRONI - VAL 12B/19/4A-E.
4. PRONI -VAL 12A/3/62, p.126.
5. PRONI- Flax Mill Returns.
6. T. Bradshaw 'Newry Directory', Newry 1819.
7. Information also supplied by Mr Robert Boyd, former owner of Ballykeel House, June 1986.
Secondary Sources:
1. E.R.R. Green (1963), The industrial archaeology of Co Down, p.35 (Belfast: HMSO).
2. Mourne Observer, 18 Oct 1968, p.9.
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
Although of some landscape value, there is insufficient architectural or technical merit to justify listing.
Nearby in the register
- 12 Ballykeel RdHouseunder 1 mi
- Mullagh BridgeBridgeunder 1 mi
- Mullagh Old BridgeBridgeunder 1 mi
- DwellingDemolishedunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.