Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/07/053

Address :
Disused mill off Sandbank Rd Rathfriland Newry Co Down BT34 5XU

Townland:
Ballynanny

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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:
268/1

IG Ref:
J2284 2866

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Owner Category

Private

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.

Architects

Not Known

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

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.

General Comments

Date of Survey

11 February 1999