Former flax mill to rear of

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two buildings aligned north-south and parallel to one another on right (east) bank of River Bann.

That nearest the road measures 23.8 x 6.17m (78ft x 20ft 3in) overall in plan and stands two storeys high. It has a pitched natural slate roof. No rainwater goods. Random rubble granite walls brought to courses. The right-hand bay (as viewed from east) is a later addition 3.96 x 6.17m (13ft x 20ft 3in) in plan and has a slightly steeper roof pitch.

The east elevation of this building is abutted right of centre by a one-storey lean-to (detailed as main block). At left on this façade is a metal-framed window (in an original opening), to the right of which is an infilled window with brick surround. Between these two windows is an infilled semi-elliptical arch at ground level, possibly the original headrace to the mill. To the right of the lean-to is a 3x3 paned window, and right again (on the end bay) is an infilled window opening. The first floor has four window openings with brick surrounds, and a fifth (without brick surround) on the end right bay.

The lean-to, which is an original feature, has two windows on its east elevation (again with brick surrounds). Its right cheek has a t+g door in a brick surround. Left cheek blank. In the party wall between the lean-to and the main block are two large openings within semi-elliptical brick heads.

The left (south) gable is blank.

The west elevation has two large ground floor doors – both modern enlargements. At first floor left is a t+g door with external stone stairway. To ground floor of this bay is a small window opening. At first floor centre is a similar door, but without access.

The right (north) gable has two t+g doors: at ground floor left, and first floor right, accessed by an external stone stairway.

Immediately west of this building is a one-storey building measuring 13.4 x 5.38m (44ft x 17ft 8in) in plan. Its roof and walls are as the above building. Its east elevation has a t+g door to middle. The left (south) gable has a 1/2 metal framed window. Its west façade is blank. The north gable is smooth cement rendered and has had a pair of modern sliding doors fitted (gables raised to accommodate rail).

Historical information

A flax mill is shown at this location on the 1833 OS 6” map. It is described in the 1838 valuation is belonging to John McLaughlin and measured 55ft x 20ft x 7ft 6in. Its associated store measured 44ft x 17ft 6in x 6ft 6in. The existing building at west corresponds with these dimensions. The Ordnance Survey Memoir of 1836 states that it was erected in 1831 and was powered by a 12ft dia x 5ft wide breast-shot waterwheel.

The fact that the flax mill was then only one storey high suggests a later enlargement to the present building. There is no discernible wall break which suggests a complete rebuild. This had probably been completed by 1861 when the second valuation was carried out (there is no significant change in valuation thereafter). Such a rebuild would accord with the use of brickwork on the window and door surrounds and different ground plan on the 1859 OS map (which also shows a lean-to on the west elevation of the main block). The mill then contained six stocks and three rollers and was valued at £18. A new office was added in 1866 – probably the bay at the north end; the valuation increases to £19.

The mill appears to have still been operative until at least 1929.

Primary sources:
1. OS 6" map, 1833, Co Down sheet 42.
2. Ordnance Survey Memoir, Clonduff Parish (1836).
3. First valuation c.1838 (PRONI VAL 1B/354, p.37).
4. OS 6" map, 1859, Co Down sheet 42.
5. Second valuation c.1861 (PRONI VAL 2B/3/49B, p.67).
6. Valuation revision books 1866-1929 (PRONI VAL 12B/22/6A-D).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Primarily of historical interest and reflecting the importance of flax scutching in this area in the later 19th century. Not of sufficient architectural or historic interest to merit listing.