Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Disused flax mill off Kilkeel Rd
Ballymaghery, Newry, Mourne and Down, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- Mill
- Date of construction
- 1840 - 1859
- Address
- Disused flax mill off Kilkeel Rd, Hilltown, Newry, Co Down, BT34 2JU
- Townland
- Ballymaghery
- Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.19585, -6.13301
- Date of survey
- 11 February 1999
- HB reference
- HB16/07/046 B
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 Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1838 "Ireland, north sheet." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
A two-storey flax scutching mill located on the right bank of the River Bann east of Hilltown. Associated with cornmill immediately to east (HB16/07/046A). Aligned parallel with the slope such that the first floor can be entered from ground level on the north side.
Pitched corrugated asbestos roof. Walls of random rubble granite but extensively rebuilt in concrete blockwork, especially at wallhead level.
South facade abutted to middle by a later lean-to. Various windows and doors to ground floor. Both gables blank. North wall has various infilled openings.
No trace of dam in yard immediately north of mill.
Historical information
First shown on the 1859 OS 6" map. Second valuation of c.1861 notes John Martin as owner. Dimensions given as 80ft x 18ft x 2 storeys. Contained 14 stocks and three rollers and worked by steam at this time. Valuation revision book notes that mill "at rest" in 1897. The concrete work suggests that rebuilt during the present century (probably during second world war) and powered by water turbine.
References
1. 2nd edition OS 6" map, Down sheet 48 (1859).
2. Second valuation book, c.1861 (PRONI: VAL 2B/3/49C, p.15).
3. Valuation revision books, 1866-1929 (PRONI: VAL 12B/22/12A-D).
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
Primarily of historical interest as an example of a mid-19th century steam powered flax mill.
Nearby in the register
- Former Corn Mill off Kilkeel RdFactoryunder 1 mi
- Footbridge over River BannBridgeunder 1 mi
- Eight Mile BridgeBridgeunder 1 mi
- Hilltown LodgeHouseunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.