Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/07/044

Address :
Former flax mill near 42 Lisnamulligan Rd Rathfriland Newry Co Down BT34 4XA

Townland:
Ballyaughian

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Survey 2:
Record Only

Date of Listing:

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Rural Industry

Former Use
Rural Industry

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
Yes

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
Yes

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OS Map No:
253/12

IG Ref:
J2220 3132

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Owner Category

Private

Exterior Description And Setting

A substantial, but ruinous, later 18th C water-powered linen mill on right bank of River Bann. Two-storey section at each end, and single storey in middle section. Roof formerly pitched and slated, but now entirely gone. Walls of random rubble, also ruinous. Traces of mill pond behind (to east) and headrace towards north end to internal waterwheel. Concrete render on headrace walls suggests possible second world war usage. Configuration of pond embankment suggests there may also have been a second water intake to the middle section.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

Shown on c.1800 map as a bleach mill. Depicted on the 1834 OS 6" map as a flax mill. Valuation book of 1838 also notes presence of beetling mill (reflecting former use as bleach/ wash mill). Both mills belonged to David Lindsay and measured 125ft x 23ft 6in x 8ft. Two drying lofts also noted, both used as stores. Contained 14 stocks and two pairs of rollers and capable of scutching 5000 stone flax per year. Ordnance Survey Memoir (1836) notes breastshot waterwheel 14ft in diameter by 2ft 4in wide. Second Valuation book (c.1861) notes Lindsay as continuing in ownership. Flax mill still has 14 stocks and two sets of rollers; beetling mill contains two engines. Valuation revision book of 1884 notes removal of eight stocks and the two beetling engines. Seemingly still working until 1929 at least. Primary sources: 1. Map of part of Clonduff Parish, c.1800 (PRONI: D671/M7/14). 2. 1st edition OS 6" map, Down sheet 48 (1833). 3. Ordnance Survey Memoirs, Co Down: Clonduff Parish. 4. First valuation book, 1838 (PRONI: VAL 1B/354). 5. Second valuation book, c.1861 (PRONI: VAL 2B/3/49A, p.80). 6. Valuation revision books, 1866-1929 (PRONI: VAL 12B/22/12A-D).

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

Not listed

Historic Interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Primarily of historical interest, being a particularly large concern encompassing both flax scutching and cloth finishing. However, insufficient remains to merit listing.

General Comments

Date of Survey

10 February 1999