Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Former flax mill
Ballyaughian, Newry, Mourne and Down, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- Rural Industry
- Date of construction
- 1780 - 1799
- Address
- Former flax mill, near 42 Lisnamulligan Rd, Rathfriland, Newry, Co Down, BT34 4XA
- Townland
- Ballyaughian
- Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.21625, -6.12749
- Date of survey
- 10 February 1999
- HB reference
- HB16/07/044
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 1636 "Vltoniae Orientalis Pars" (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
A substantial, but ruinous, later 18th C water-powered linen mill on right bank of River Bann. Two-storey section at each end, and single storey in middle section. Roof formerly pitched and slated, but now entirely gone. Walls of random rubble, also ruinous. Traces of mill pond behind (to east) and headrace towards north end to internal waterwheel. Concrete render on headrace walls suggests possible second world war usage. Configuration of pond embankment suggests there may also have been a second water intake to the middle section.
Historical information
Shown on c.1800 map as a bleach mill. Depicted on the 1834 OS 6" map as a flax mill. Valuation book of 1838 also notes presence of beetling mill (reflecting former use as bleach/ wash mill). Both mills belonged to David Lindsay and measured 125ft x 23ft 6in x 8ft. Two drying lofts also noted, both used as stores. Contained 14 stocks and two pairs of rollers and capable of scutching 5000 stone flax per year. Ordnance Survey Memoir (1836) notes breastshot waterwheel 14ft in diameter by 2ft 4in wide. Second Valuation book (c.1861) notes Lindsay as continuing in ownership. Flax mill still has 14 stocks and two sets of rollers; beetling mill contains two engines.
Valuation revision book of 1884 notes removal of eight stocks and the two beetling engines. Seemingly still working until 1929 at least.
Primary sources:
1. Map of part of Clonduff Parish, c.1800 (PRONI: D671/M7/14).
2. 1st edition OS 6" map, Down sheet 48 (1833).
3. Ordnance Survey Memoirs, Co Down: Clonduff Parish.
4. First valuation book, 1838 (PRONI: VAL 1B/354).
5. Second valuation book, c.1861 (PRONI: VAL 2B/3/49A, p.80).
6. Valuation revision books, 1866-1929 (PRONI: VAL 12B/22/12A-D).
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
X. Local Interest
Evaluation
Primarily of historical interest, being a particularly large concern encompassing both flax scutching and cloth finishing. However, insufficient remains to merit listing.
Nearby in the register
- Bridge over River BannBridgeunder 1 mi
- 11 Ballycoshone RoadHouseunder 1 mi
- Marker stone on junction ofWater Works Structuresunder 1 mi
- Disused Flax millMillunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.