7 Hazel Bank Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This mill is located on the left bank of the River Bann just east of Lawrencetown. It is accessed across a single-track vehicular bridge down a lane from the main Banbridge - Gilford road. It comprises three sections: (1) former spinning mill aligned east-west along the left bank of the river; (2) former engine house and chimney; and (3) traces of former weaving shed and turbine house..

Description at June 2007

The description is as detailed below November 1999, except for the following.

The 2-storey mill has been partially restored. The brick dressings around the opennngs have been repointed and the roof has been re-roofed in natural Bangor blue slate.

The 3 storey mill has also had its brick window surrounds and part of the stone walling repointed. The majority of the window openings have had painted timber 2/2 sliding sash windows installed.

The left hand section of the engine/boiler house has been restored. Where there was only a single remaining North facing wall, now the other 3 walls have been constructed in clay brick to match the original and it has been re-roofed in natural bangor blue slates. The original window openings have had painted timber windows to the original design and further openings and windows have been created in the new walls to match the original.

The turbine house has been restored to its original condition with natural Bangor blue slated roof and restored stone walls with red brick surrounds. The eaves detail has beeen recreated. Modern turbines have been installed along with a holding pond to the East which is fed from the original mill race.

Description at November 1999

1. Spinning mill

This building comprises two parts: (1) a two-storey building at the west end, and (2) a three storey (+ attic) building at the east end.

1.1 Two-storey mill

This building is four openings wide. It measures 61ft-6in x 28ft-3in in plan and stands 18ft-0in high to the eaves (as measured from internal floor level); the walls are 18in thick. The pitched slate roof has been replaced with underfelted corrugated metal sheeting; the original queen-post trusses (2 no.), double purlins and common rafters have been retained.

The walls are of split quarried Silurian rubble with roughly dressed granite quoins to the west gable. The advanced eaves course is executed in yellow brick set diagonally and faced with a timber board carrying half-round plastic gutters. All openings have red hand-made brick surrounds (with flat heads unless otherwise stated) and the window cills are of sandstone.

The south elevation (to yard) has four openings to each floor; those to the upper floor are in line with those to the ground floor, except for the openings at right. All are windows (now sheeted over) except the third opening from left on the ground floor which is a wide doorway with semi-elliptical arched head (doors gone). Between the two first floor windows at left is a cast-iron bearing bracket (which carried a shaft across from the engine house). The bracket has been packed around with machined brick, indicating a later insertion. At ground level towards the right-hand end is a shallow segmental brick arch, now infilled (it is more clearly visible on the inside face of this wall). It undoubtedly signifies the former intake to the waterwheel from the headrace channel.

The west gable has a doorway to ground floor middle; this has been infilled but its two-pane transom survives. At extreme right is a vertical slit trimmed with machined red brick. Immediately to its left is a concrete emplacement. In all likelihood this was an engine mounting with a pulley belt drive through into the mill.

The north elevation (to river) has three windows to the ground floor and four to the first floor. At ground level at left is an infilled segmental brick arch, signifying the former tailrace. All the windows have now been sheeted over and no original frames survive. Between the third and fourth windows (from left) on the first floor is a cast-iron bearing bracket (its position corresponds with that on the opposite wall).

1.2 Three-storey mill

This single-bay building is trapezoidal in plan. It measures 106ft-10in long on its north side (which has 12 openings) and 93ft-10in along its south side (11 openings). It is 39ft-0in wide, stands 29ft-6in high to the eaves and has 24in thick walls. Its pitched slate roof has been replaced with underfelted troughed metal sheeting; the original queen-post trusses (11 no.), double purlins and common rafters have been retained and some of the massive 3ft x 2ft slates are stacked on the attic floor. There is a skylight to the yard pitch.

The walls are of Silurian rubble and exhibit two phases of construction. The west section, which has six window openings at first floor (and is 53ft-10in long), is of randomly laid rubble (incorporating many rounded field stones), whereas the remaining portion to east (which is 53ft-0in/ 40ft-0in long) is of quarried rubble brought to courses. The quoins on the west gable and the east end of the west section are of roughly dressed granite. The east section has no quoins to its west end and those to its east gable are of finely dressed vee-jointed granite blocks. The east end is thus a later addition.

The north and south walls are now tied with metal plates connected to the principal floor beams. Advanced brick eaves carry a timber board on which half-round plastic gutters are mounted. All openings have red hand-made brick surrounds (with flat heads unless otherwise stated) and the window cills are of sandstone.

The south elevation (to yard) has 10 openings to the ground floor, and 11 to each of its upper floors. Openings 1 and 2 (as numbered from left) to the ground and first floors have a corrugated metal canopy over. Openings 4, 5 and 6 are abutted to ground floor and part of the first floor by an extension of the one-storey dwelling which now sits in front of the mill; according to the owner this was formerly the mill canteen. All the ground floor openings have been infilled with brick or concrete blocks. Opening 7 was once a door and has been superseded by a new wider insertion to its immediate left (with steel girder head). At first floor level, there are t+g sheeted doors to openings 3 and 11 (the latter with a transom). The former is accessed by timber stairs and platform, and the latter by a concrete platform across ground floor openings 8-10. All the remaining openings are windows, all but one now without their frames and sheeted over with corrugated plastic. The 11th opening at second floor right retains its original fenestration - a 5x5-paned top-opening casement.

The west gable is partially abutted by the two-storey building already described. Holding-down bolts on the gable apex signify the former presence of a metal framework supporting (according to the owner) a bell. At ground level centre is what appears to be an opening for a waterwheel axle. There was originally a doorway to the ground floor, and two each to the first and second floors; some have brick relieving arches over and all but that on the ground floor have been infilled. There were two windows to the attic floor. That at left contains the 3x2-paned top sash to a 6/6 sliding sash window; that at right is infilled. The fact that the two-storey building crosses some of these openings indicates that it is a later addition to the three-storey section.

The north elevation (to river) has 12 window openings to all floors, all in line with one another. All the ground floor openings are infilled and their cills have been removed. Most of those to the first floor have been sheeted over and ventilation ducts inserted (signifying a former use as a poultry house in the 1960s). Remnants of the framing indicate some 2/2 sliding sashes to the first floor and 5x5-paned top-opening casements to the second floor.

The east gable, to the lane, is set skew. There is a door to first floor centre (level with external ground level on this side). It comprises a pair of diagonally sheeted t+g leafs with transom over. There is also a loading door directly above at second floor level. Its brick head has a small dressed granite keystone.

2. Engine house and chimney

Just south-west of the two-storey building, across the headrace, are the vestiges of a steam engine house and boiler room. Only its north elevation now survives. There are moulded sandstone brackets to its projecting masonry eaves course. The wall is of brick and 10 openings wide. The section at left, containing four segmental-headed windows, is set back slightly from the remainder. Openings 6-8 comprise three semicircular headed infilled openings. That at left is abutted by a one-storey corrugated metal shed containing a working turbine (still with live water supply). Opening 5 is a flat-headed window. To the right of opening 8 are two similar flat-headed openings to the ground and first floors. All the windows are now sheeted over with corrugated plastic. The remaining walls have been rebuilt in concrete blockwork with a shallow monopitched roof over.

The chimney associated with the engine still stands to its full height at the west end of the site. It is of brick, its tapering octagonal section rising to a corbelled stone top.

The weir and headrace still supply a McCormick turbine which generates electricity for the owner's house. There is apparently a second turbine still in situ but no longer operative. According to the owner both turbines were installed in 1888.

3. Weaving shed

Along the south boundary wall of the complex, the saw-tooth profile of a gable to the former weaving shed is still evident. The style of the stonework suggests that an existing boundary wall was subsequently raised to form the roof profile.

Setting

The premises are bounded to east and south by a high brick wall which contains vestiges of an earlier random rubble one. There was formerly a dressed stone gate into the premises from the lane that runs along its east side. It has been dismantled and is stored elsewhere on the site. Just upstream from the mill is a triple-span bridge carrying the road over the Bann. It formerly had a wooden deck, subsequently replaced with concrete, and carried on stone piers. A short distance to the south-east is a ruinous terrace of one-storey mill workers' houses in rubble masonry. To the south are three semi-detached red brick workers' houses, still inhabited.

Historical information

Since the early 1700s the focus of the linen industry along the Upper Bann has been in the area between Banbridge and Gilford. Much of this activity related to handloom weaving and bleaching, and there was a brown linen market in Banbridge. A major boost to the industry occurred in 1825 with the development of the wet spinning process. The first mill in Ireland to avail of this new technology, by which fine yarn could be produced mechanically, was erected at Annsborough shortly after this date. [1] Hazelbank has the distinction of being the first such water-powered spinning mill on the River Bann, having been erected by Samuel Law in 1833-34.

The Law family's involvement in this area appears to date from 1783, when George and Joseph Law leased 37½ acres from the estate of Henry Bradford in Coose townland. [2] It is not known exactly when they laid out a bleachworks but by 1833 the OS 6" map shows a bleach mill at this location, with another one nearby on the east side of the lane (in Lisnafiffy townland). Both mills adjoin extensive bleach greens. [3] A terrace of cottages is also shown immediately south of the headrace.

The first Valuation Book, dated May 1834, gives the owner as Samuel Law and describes the premises as containing a spinning manufactory, bleach mills and offices, all valued at £46-7s-0d. [5] The various buildings are itemised thus (QL = quality letter: A = a new or nearly new building without cut stone embellishment; A- = a substantial building erected 20-25 years; B+ = a building of medium age in good repair. Dimensions – length x width x height – are in feet): [6]

Spinning manufactory (QL = A) 54 x 39 x 36
[?] (QL = A-) 16½ x 12½ x 37
Steam engine house (QL = A-) 35 x 29½ x 14½
House over mill wheel (QL = B+) 17½ x 19 x 7
Bleach mill (QL = B+) 43½ x 27½ x 15
Boiling house (QL = B+) 25 x 27½ x 19½
Open shed (QL = B+) 39½ x 17½ x 7½
[?] shed (QL = B+) 68½ x 11½ x 8
Offices (QL = A) 112 x 10½ x 8

Of note here is the close correspondence, in ground plan at least, between the dimensions of the spinning manufactory and the west section of the three-storey building.

The 1834 Ordnance Survey Memoir for Tullylish Parish notes two large wheels in use here, at what was then the only spinning mill in the parish. Both wheels were 14ft in diameter by 12ft wide, and one powered the spinning mill. Both were designed by William Fairbairn, the noted English millwright and engineer. His design was innovative in that his wheels were almost as wide as their diameter. This maximised the power output for a given fall, assuming a sufficiency of water. Seemingly installed about 1833 when the site was still a bleachworks, they were breast-shot and of iron construction. [6] It was presumably redeployed to drive the spinning machinery when the site was converted to its new function.

The 1860 OS 6" map shows the complex on the west side of the road to have been extended eastward to meet the lane. It would appear, therefore, that the east section of the three-storey building was added between 1834 and 1860. [8]

The 1861 Valuation notes Samuel Law as still the owner, and the premises have a valuation of £190. [9] The spinning mill contained 8000 spindles driven off a 25hp breast-shot waterwheel measuring 14ft in diameter by 12ft wide. This drive was augmented by two steam engines rated at 25hp and 30hp. The valuation entry also includes a map of the complex as it then existed. Of relevance here is the portion which relates to the range under review. The buildings in this section are itemised thus in the Valuation book (length x breadth in feet, height in storeys):

Spinning mill 92 x 42 x 3½
Waterwheel house 18 x 33 x 1
Carding house 42 x 28 x 1
Carding house 27 x 28 x 2
Shed 69 x 12 x 1

Although these dimensions do not match the existing buildings exactly, they are sufficiently close to confirm that east section of the three-storey building had indeed been added by this time, but that the two-storey had not yet been built. The waterwheel is shown on the accompanying map to have been on the west gable of the three-storey building, thus confirming the field evidence. [9]

The Valuation Revision books note an increase in the valuation of the premises from £190 to £215 in 1868. [10] Whether this signifies the addition of new buildings or machinery is uncertain. Bassett, writing in 1888, notes that the weaving of fine linens was carried on here by the Laws. [11] Possibly it was the installation of weaving looms which caused the increase in value. Such a date would accord with the growth in power loom usage elsewhere in Ulster. The following year, however, the site is described in the Valuation as '"dilapidated", with a rating of only £50. Samuel Law died around this time: his trustees noted as taking over the lease of the site in 1870.

In 1875, the premises had two breast-shot waterwheels (these were presumably those installed in 1833), one of them linked to a steam engine. The combined output of the wheels and engine was 200hp, making it the third largest complex on the Upper Bann in terms of power. [12]

The 1878 Valuation entry describes the site as "Hazelbank flax spinning and weaving mill at rest and unfinished", and with a £100 valuation. This work probably entailed the erection of a large weaving shed in the yard and seems to have been completed the following year. The 1879 entry notes a "weaving mill" [sic] with a valuation of £230. The dimensions of this building are given as 104ft x 129ft. It contained 120 looms (with space for 40 more), and was driven by a 40hp steam engine (with 100ft chimney) and 12ft dia x 10ft wide waterwheel. The buildings under review appear not to have had a specific manufacturing purpose at this time, most activity being focused on newer buildings elsewhere on the site. The occupier at this time was George B Coulter. The following year the Hazelbank Weaving Company took over operations and continued to operate until well into the present century. [13]

The mill closed in the mid 1960s. It was used to accommodate poultry until purchased by its present owner Mr Felix McConville in 1985. The Upper Bann Building Preservation Trust intend to purchase the buildings fronting the river and renovate them as dwellings.

Primary sources

1. See HMBB file notes, HB 18/11/050, for details of this mill.
2. E.A. Myles (1928), 'Notes relating mainly to Tullylish Parish', p.27 (PRONI, T426). Joseph Law leased a further 17 acres in 1795.
3. PRONI - OS 6/3/27/1. S. Lewis in his 1837 'Topographical Dictionary of Ireland' (vol.1, p.177) notes the mill in Lisnafiffy Td as being a chemical dye works.
4. PRONI - VAL 1B/350, p.64.
5. Ibid, p.131.
6. John Smyth (1875), 'On the industrial uses of the Upper Bann river', pp.3-4 (London: Taylor & Francis). Fairbairn also installed one of his wheels at F.W. Hayes's weaving factory at nearby Seapatrick. Hayes was a brother-in-law of Samuel Law.
7. PRONI - OS 6/3/27/2.
8. PRONI - VAL 2B/3/48A, p.80.
9. Elsewhere on the site was a gasworks.
10. PRONI - VAL 12B/16/25A-H.
11. G. Bassett (1888), 'County Down Guide and Directory', pp.270-1 (reprinted 1988, Friar's Bush press, Belfast).
12. Smyth, Op.Cit.
13. Documents relating to the Hazelbank Weaving Co. are to be found in PRONI (cat. no. D1764).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

Although the west section of the three-storey building may have been erected when the site was converted from bleaching to spinning in 1833-34, it is possible, judging by the use of rounded rubble fieldstones, that it dates to the site's earlier use as a bleachworks. The section to east appears to have been added sometime after this conversion, but before 1860. The buildings and chimney relating to the steam engine are probably of later 19th century date, having been erected by Law or the Hazelbank Weaving Co. It is possible that they are contemporary with the late 1880s turbine, when the headrace appears to have been rerouted away from the three-storey mill to its present course to the west of the two-storey building. The presence of the millrace arches in this building implies it was erected before this rerouting. As it is not cited in the 1861 Valuation, it was most probably erected in the 1860s or '70s (or possibly in the 1880s).

Whatever the precise date of the west section of the three-storey building it is of considerable historical significance in the context of the development of Ulster's linen industry as will now be discussed.

During the 18th century, the Upper Bann became a major focus of linen production, rivalled only by the Lagan Valley. All aspects of production were carried out - scutching, spinning, weaving, and bleaching. In all, 48 textile sites are known to have existed along the Bann between its source in the Mourne Mountains, and its discharge into Lough Neagh (see table). Of these, 15 were scutch mills, the majority of which were on its upper reaches, above Katesbridge. A total of 23 finishing works (bleaching and /or beetling) are known - almost half the total - and these are mostly on the middle stretch between Corbett Milltown (above Banbridge) and Moyallen (below Gilford). In the section from Ballydown (just upstream of Banbridge) and Gilford, four spinning mills and six weaving factories also operated. The bottom section of the river, between Moyallen and Lough Neagh had no mills on account of the lack of fall.

A survey carried out by Cormac Scally in 1988 revealed that almost half these sites had disappeared or survived only as insignificant traces. This attrition rate appeared to be fairly constant irrespective of the type of mill:
Scutch mills – 15, of which 47% survive as some or substantial remains.
Spinning mills – 4, of which 50% survive (etc)
Weaving factories – 6, of which 50% survive (etc)
Finishing works – 23, of which 55% survive (etc)
All sites – 48, of which 52% survive (etc)

It is evident that spinning mills were relatively rare along the Bann. Two of them - in Edenderry and Drumnagally townlands (just downstream from Banbridge) - are shown as thread manufactories on the 1833 OS 6" map. Whether the flax was actually spun into yarn and then twisted into thread, or simply twisted from imported yarn, is uncertain. What is clear, however, is that both were small-scale manual operations (ie not water powered) which did not survive beyond the mid 19th century (neither site is marked on the 1860 OS map).

The two surviving spinning mills are Hazelbank and Gilford. As noted earlier in this report, the former was established in 1834 and is, in fact, the earliest attested water-powered spinning mill on the Upper Bann. The Gilford mill began operations two years later under Hugh Dunbar. Although both started within a short time of one another, the architectural contrast between them could not be greater. Hazelbank is essentially an adaptation of an 18th century bleach mill and was not specifically designed for spinning. By contrast, the scale and multiple floors of Gilford are typical of a mid-19th century spinning mill and would not be out of place in an urban context such as Belfast.

Hazelbank is also of interest in being the site where William Fairbairn commissioned his first waterwheel in Ulster (and possibly in Ireland as a whole).

Evaluation of this site can be summarised thus:

Architecture
- Plain style, simple proportion and lack of embellishment all reflect its adaptation from an 18th century bleach mill, as opposed to a purpose-built spinning mils of later years (eg Gilford).

Historical context
- One of only very few sites (and also the earliest) in Ulster to have had a waterwheel designed by the eminent English millwright and engineer William Fairbairn.
- Earliest water-powered spinning mill on Upper Bann.
- One of the few sites on Bann where bleaching, spinning and weaving all carried on.

Spatial context
- One of only two spinning mills to survive on Upper Bann.
- Prominent riverside location, highly visible from main road.