Flax Mill

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A mid-19th century former flax scutching mill formerly known as McMinn's Mill. The principal part of this complex comprises a mid-19th century one- and two-storey block aligned east - west on the north side of the Turnavall Road. One section has recently been converted into a dwelling; the remainder of the block is ruinous.

In all there are eight distinct sections to this complex. From west to east these are: (1) a two-storey/ two-bay former water-mill; (2) a one-storey/ one-bay infill between sections 1 and 3; (3) a one-storey/ one-bay former water-mill; (4) a two-storey/ one-bay block associated with section 3; (5) a late 19th century one-storey/ one-bay former boiler house; (6) chimney associated with section 5; (7) at the SW end of the complex is a one-storey outbuilding and (8) one-storey/ two-bay scutcher's dwelling.

1. Two-storey/ two-bay former mill

Hipped natural slate roof (all slates gone). Walls of squared rubble granite brought to courses.

The principal elevation faces S and is three openings wide. There is a doorway at G/F centre into the right-hand bay, and a loading door directly above. There is a G/F window to the left bay and two windows to G/F right bay. There are corresponding windows to the F/F - that at right is a circular opening with brick trim.

The west gable has an infilled window at G/F right.

The rear (N) elevation is abutted to its right-hand half by a one-and-a-half storey return; wall breaks suggests that this is probably a later addition. The exposed left bay has a pedestrian entrance at G/F left and a wider door (approached by an earthen ramp) at F/F right. The lean-to return has two infilled doors to its N face and an infilled F/F window to its right cheek. Internally, there is a wide semi-elliptical brick archway in the party wall between the right-hand bay and its return. Directly below the F/F door is the vestige of a former headrace channel to the waterwheel which was formerly located in the right-hand (E) bay.

The E gable of this building has a doorway through to section 2.

2. One-storey/ one-bay infill section

Pitched natural slate roof (sagging). Walls of coursed and snecked granite blocks. Wall breaks in S elevation indicate that it is a later addition to the flanking sections. The S elevation has a door at left. None of the other elevations has any openings (except that in the party wall to section 1).

3. One-storey/ one-bay former water-mill

Pitched natural slate roof. Walls of coursed and snecked granite blocks. Lack of wall break indicates that contemporary with section 4 but earlier than section 2.

The S elevation has a door at right. Right again is an infilled semi-elliptical brick archway.

No openings in either gable.

The rear (N) elevation is abutted by a one-storey block with pitched natural slate roof aligned parallel to the main block. There is no wall where these two sections meet. The right cheek of this addition has been built up with concrete blockwork and may originally have been open. At extreme left an elevated random rubble and earth embankment carries an open water channel to the former internal waterwheel. A wrought-iron pipe has been laid in this channel and is steeply inclined through the back wall into an internal turbine under the floor of this section.

4. Two-storey/ one-bay block associated with section 3

Of similar design to section 1, but narrower. Pyramidal natural slate roof. Walls are harled over coursed and squared granite rubble.

The S elevation has a door to centre and wall window to each side (the heads of which extend part-way into the F/F, but have been infilled with concrete blockwork). Loading door to F/F centre, flanked by a circular brick-trimmed opening to each side.

The exposed section of the left (W) elevation is blank; there may formerly have been an opening in the party wall with section 3, but this has been infilled.

The rear (N) elevation is abutted by a one-and-a-half storey lean to. The N face of this addition has a door at G/F centre and an infilled window to each side. Its left cheek as a window at F/F. In the party wall with the main part of this section is a wide semi-elliptical brick opening (similar to that in section 1).

The right (E) side was formerly abutted by a later one-storey lean-to, the monopitched roof of which is now gone. There is an infilled semi-elliptical arch in the party wall between them.

5. A one-storey/ one-bay former boiler house

This is at the E end of the complex and is aligned north-south. It has a natural slate roof (hipped at its N end) and random rubble granite walls (in part of squared blocks). It is devoid of openings save for a wide doorway in its S gable and ventilation slits at wall head height along its E side.

Just E of this house is an enclosed yard. Large stone slabs suggest an (?steam) engine may have been mounted here.

6. Chimney

Just N of the boiler house is a tapered square-section brick chimney on a 2.2m high square granite base (with projecting coping). It survives to its full height (estimated at 13.5-14.0m) and has an oversailing stone coping. There are a slender semicircular headed recessed panel to each face. A brick flue joins the base of the pedestal with the N gable of the boiler room.

7. One-storey shed

Towards the SW side of the complex is a one-storey random rubble shed aligned parallel with the road. No features of special interest.

8. Dwelling

This house has a pitched natural slate roof, random rubble walls, brick chimney to each gable. No features of special interest.

Waterworks

There is now only a vestige of the former mill pond at north. The head and tailraces have been infilled.

Historical information

An 'old bleach mill' is cited here on the 1834 OS 6" map. A water channel passes through the building towards its E end. The fact that it has no valuation suggests that it was long defunct. This is confirmed by the 1834 Ordnance Survey Memoir which notes it as "many years out of employment".

It is captioned 'flax mill' on the 1860 map and there are now two water channels (corresponding with the present day ones). The 1862 Valuation map notes the flax mill as being operated by John Glenny and it has a relatively high valuation of £30. The buildings at that time are as follows:

1. Flax mill, 24ft x 30ft x one storey. Driven by an 18ft dia x 4ft wide breast-shot waterwheel and containing eight stocks [= section 3].
2. Store, 24ft x 36ft x one storey [= section 2].
3. Rolling house, 27ft x 21 ft x one storey.
4. Foreman scutcher's house, 27ft x 15ft x one storey [= section 8].
5. Old mill (probably the bleach mill), 48ft x 21ft x two storeys. Contains a 14ft dia x 2ft 10in wide overshot waterwheel and six stocks [= section 1].
6. Shed, 24ft x 12ft x one storey.

An entry dated 1864 notes "12 stocks worked this season and would work the 14 stocks if he could get men".

Operations were taken over by Joseph and Andrew McMinn in 1886. By 1889, only six stocks were at work. In this year, a steam mill makes its first appearance. However it is vacant and seems to have remained so until 1906 when occupied by David Gamble. In this year Andrew McMinn is also listed as the sole operator of the water-powered flax mill. A chimney is captioned on the 1903 OS map. A valuation entry for 1905 notes that the water mill had been idle for eight years but was once again at work. The steam mill is vacant from 1911. In 1918 it was put back to work by Andrew McMinn. It is cited as a flax mill in the 1930 OS map, implying that it was still in use.

Primary sources:
1. OS 6" map, 1834, Co Down sheet 47 (PRONI OS 6/3/47/1).
2. Ordnance Survey Memoir, Newry Parish, 1834.
3. OS 6" map, 1860, Co Down sheet 47 (PRONI OS 6/3/47/2).
4. Second Valuation, 1862 (PRONI VAL 2B/3/69D, p.273).
5. Valuation revision book, 1886-89 (PRONI VAL 12B/22/19C, p.33).
6. OS 6" map, 1903, Co Down sheet 47 (PRONI OS 6/3/47/3).
7. Valuation revision book, 1905-06 (PRONI VAL 12B/22/19D, p.18).
8. Valuation revision book, 1911-18 (PRONI VAL 12B/22/19E, p.17).
9. OS 6" map, 1930, Co Down sheet 47.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Although there are buildings here prior to 1834, most of the present complex appears to date from the mid 1800s (being erected sometime between 1834 and 1860). Of somewhat unusual design for a scutch mill and given added interest by the presence of the boiler house and chimney (showing the use of a more reliable prime mover). The buildings are now derelict and without machinery.