Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Disused mill off Sandbank Rd
Ballynanny, Newry, Mourne and Down, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- Mill
- Date of construction
- 1780 - 1799
- Address
- Disused mill off Sandbank Rd, Rathfriland, Newry, Co Down, BT34 5XU
- Townland
- Ballynanny
- Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.19222, -6.11877
- Date of survey
- 11 February 1999
- HB reference
- HB16/07/053
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 LibrariesUniversity Library, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
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
Ruinous remains of former linen beetling and wash mills on left bank of River Bann. Three buildings, all of random rubble construction, are discernible:
1. A two-storey range aligned east-west at the NW corner of the complex. Pitched natural slate roof and now with large sliding door at right end of south facade. Gutted internally.
2. At NE end of complex are the ruinous remains of a smaller building now with a monopitch corrugated metal roof. A ruinous wall joins it to building 1.
3. At the S end, on the left side of the approach lane, is a two-storey block of houses, now reduced to one storey and ruinous.
Mill dam clearly evident to east, but no traces of races or waterwheel pit.
Historical information
Complex shown on 1834 OS 6" map. Noted in 1836 Ordnance Survey Memoir as belonging to James Lindsay and Sons and comprising beetling and wash mills. Build about 8 years ago (ie. 1828). Captioned as beetling engine and drying house on 1859 OS map. Second valuation of c.1861 notes owner as William Lindsay. Eight beetling engines "at work night and day"; wash mill contains a starching mangle and three rub boards. Workmen's houses also noted (ie. building 3). Valuation revision of 1866 also notes presence of flax mill (8 stocks). Both the beetling and flax mills ceased operations in 1894.
Primary sources:
1. 1st edition OS 6" map, Down sheet 48 (1834).
2. Ordnance Survey Memoir, Clonduff Parish.
3. First valuation book, 1838 (PRONI: VAL 1B/354, p.19).
4. 2nd edition OS 6" map, Down sheet 48 (1859).
5. Second valuation book, c.1861 (PRONI: VAL 2B/3/49A, p.87).
6. Valuation revision books, 1866-1929 (PRONI: VAL 12B/22/12A-B).
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
Primarily of historical interest in illustrating the importance of the Upper Bann as a source of power for linen processing. The appearance of the flax mill in the early 1860s coincides with the upsurge in flax growing as a result of the American Civil War. The buildings are now of little interest and do not merit listing.
Nearby in the register
- 29 Kilkeel RdHouseunder 1 mi
- Old Clonduff Church and GraveyardChurchunder 1 mi
- Boundary marker on Bryansford RdBoundary Markerunder 1 mi
- New Bridge, Sandbank Rd, Hilltown, Newry, Co Down BT34 5XXBridgeunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.