Corn Mill

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Corn and threshing mill complex to north of kiln (HB16/5/021B) and associated with other industrial buildings on this site (HB16/05/021 C, D). The corn mill is at left and comprises a three-storey/ single-bay building. The threshing mill, at right, is a two-storey/ single-bay structure. Between them is a large waterwheel.

1. Corn mill

Pitched natural slate roof with no rainwater goods. All walls are roughly squared granite rubble brought to courses. Ragged edge to left and right gable. Edging to left suggests an additional bay, never commenced.

On principal elevation, at ground floor middle, is a wide sliding corrugated metal door with long one-piece granite lintel. To its left and right are cast-iron framed windows in openings formed by granite posts and lintels and with original wrought-iron security bars over. There are three openings to each upper floor, in line with those at ground floor. At first floor left is a single t+g sheeted door with iron straps (for wooden chute, now gone) hanging below. Remaining openings are windows, each 2x4 steel-framed casements with granite cills and brick dressings. There are three similar windows to second floor. Four cast-iron wall plates between ground and first floor.

Stonework of left gable is as facade but with brick stretcher courses between each floor. There is an infilled door opening at centre to each floor.

Rear wall has two openings to each floor (one at either end). Those to ground floor and first floor right are infilled. The remainder are metal-framed, as principal facade.

Right gable has a hole in wall for axle but is otherwise blank.

2. Threshing mill

Pitched natural slate roof, part replaced with corrugated iron to rear. Walls are uncoursed granite rubble with brick eaves course.

Principal elevation has four brick-dressed openings to each floor. To ground floor left and right are doorways, between which are two windows, each with a cast iron 4x3 pane fixed window. At first floor right is a loading door. To left there are three window openings over the ground floor openings.

Left gable is blank except for opening to take waterwheel axle (with relieving arch over) and bull-nut axle.

Rear elevation is blank.

Right gable has a single window to centre at first floor. Ground rises to rear.

3. Mill wheel

Wheel is set between the gables of the two buildings, with wall to rear but no front wall or roof. Rear wall is rubble and two storeys high, with earth banked up to first floor level outside. At first floor is a doorway and a segmental headed opening with pipe from millpond at rear.

High breastshot wheel measuring 7.38m (24ft 3in) in diameter by 1.87m (6ft 2in) wide. Has cast-iron axle (resting on granite blocks measuring 2 x 0.5 x 0.5m) and hubs, and 12 timber arms (with diagonal wrought-iron braces). Cast-iron rim contains 48 curved iron buckets. Cast-iron segment wheel affixed to arms at left (as viewed from front), connecting to a small cast-iron bull-nut and axle to the corn mill. There is an opening in a small section of curtain wall into this gear area. Water taken off Whitewater River at sloping masonry weir erected just below bridge on Newry Road and conveyed along race to mill pond immediately above mill. The hub bears the inscription “Alexander McDonell 1837”.

Historical information

Erected in 1837 by Alexander McDonell on the site of a late 18th century paper mill. Described as having “three pairs of stones, good machinery of the most modern construction, an excellent kiln, and ample storage for carrying on an extensive trade”. The wheel which drove it formerly powered a flax scutch mill erected in 1837. The threshing mill was probably erected shortly afterwards and is shown on an 1853 site map. Operated by the Nicholson family from around 1870 to 1950s.

Sources:
1. PRONI – OS 6/3/55/1(1834 OS map) (Down sheet 55)
2. PRONI- VAL 1B/390A, (1834 valuation) p.151
3. PRONI- VAL 2B/3/81B, (1861 valuation) p.44
4. PRONI- D 1201/223/27 (1853 encumbered estates rental notice for the lower half-townland of Ballymogart [sic]).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
E. Spatial Organisation
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

A substantial corn mill in an attractive rural setting and part of a larger industrial grouping. Of particular interest on account of its massive wheel and intact interior.