Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/02/013

Address :
Forsythe’s Mills off Ballinran Rd Kilkeel Newry Co Down BT34 4JA

Townland:
Ballinran

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Survey 2:
Record Only

Date of Listing:

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Mill

Former Use
Mill

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
Yes

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
Yes

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OS Map No:
278/12

IG Ref:
J3145 1876

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Owner Category

Private

Exterior Description And Setting

A one-storey building on west (right) bank of Kilkeel River. Gabled corrugated metal roof. Walls: squared granite rubble set in regular courses. Window openings now infilled. Overgrown masonry chimneystack stands to full height at south-west corner. On the east side is a one-storey lean-to rendered concrete-block shed, which formerly contained a diesel engine. On the opposite side of the wheel pit is an empty random rubble shed, now roofless. Buildings greatly dilapidated. On the west side of the yard is a second scutch mill – a one-storey random rubble granite structure with a gabled slate roof, now collapsed and shuttered window openings along east facade. Very derelict and overgrown.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

The mill is not shown on the 1859 OS 6" map (Down sheet 56). It is cited in 1861 Valuation Book as belonging to Samuel McMurray,and is also recorded in the Flax Mill Returns of the same year. This indicates an 1860 construction date. It is described in the valuation as containing six stocks and a flax breaker. A further eight steam-powered stocks were also operational from 1864. Water-powered scutching appears to have ceased by 1882, and steam-powered operations by 1895. The premises were acquired by Robert Forsythe c.1899, but were still idle in 1901. Parts of the mill were gutted by fire during this year but it was back in full operation by the first world war, using both water and steam. A second mill, on the west side of the yard, was probably built as part of this refurbishment programme and was driven by a 35hp diesel engine. Steam power was abandoned in 1922. As the Belfast & District Water Commissioners had by then, purchased the water rights, the installation of a diesel engine was necessary. When operations finally ceased is uncertain. Sources: 1. PRONI - OS 6/3/56/2 (1859 OS map - Down sheet 56). 2. PRONI- OS 6/3/56/3 (1901 OS map - Down sheet 56). 3. PRONI-VAL 2B/3/81F, p.49; Flax Mill Returns, 1861. 4. PRONI-VAL 12B/19/14 A-F. 5. PRONI-VAL 12A/3/57, p.83. 6. PRONI-VAL 12A/3/59, p.21. 7. PRONI-VAL 12A/3/64. 8. Information also supplied by Mrs Fred Stevenson,Rathfriland, June 1983. Secondary Source: 1. Mourne Observer, 25 Oct 1968, p.9.

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

Not listed

Historic Interest

Not listed

Evaluation

An interesting landscape feature and of some historical interest in reflecting the upsurge in flax growing as a result of the American Civil War in the 1860s. See also HB16/02/032 (mill owner’s house).

General Comments

Date of Survey

23 July 1997