Survey Data
Reg No
22400610
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Mill (water)
Date
1780 - 1820
Coordinates
184984, 197127
Date Recorded
07/08/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached watermill and former distillery complex on Ballyfinboy River, built c.1820 and substantially added to c.1850. Comprises L-plan six-bay four-storey with attic block at south with three-bay six-storey return to north, three-bay six-storey block attached to latter and having east wall of former single-storey buildings along west side, outside filled-in millrace. Remains of extensive further buildings to north and of large yard to east and northeast. Slate roofs throughout with stone eaves course, pitched to south and west gables and hipped to north end of return and roofless elsewhere. Rendered rubble limestone walls, with evidence of multi-period construction, especially at north end of main block. Square-headed window openings, some with surviving timber frames, including small-pane casements. Windows to north end of main building have dressed stone voussoirs. Yard to southwest corner entered through segmental archway with cut-stone voussoirs. Elliptical-arch entrance to north, square-headed pedestrian entrances elsewhere. Wide segmental-arch opening in west end of south wall of main block with large cast-iron water-wheel with timber paddles. Wide elliptical-arch opening in south yard wall over millrace. Two arched openings at northwest corner of complex over millrace(s). Multiple-bay two-storey house to east with pitched slate roof and having stone eaves course and rendered brick chimneystacks, rendered walls and square-headed windows with two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows and having evidence of roof lines of formerly attached buildings to rear, west, wall.
Appraisal
This extensive watermill and distillery complex, although partially ruinous, constitutes an important monument to the county's industrial heritage. It forms a dramatic vista when viewed from the west and is an integral part of the cluster of significant historic structures in the village of Ballinderry. The very large and impressive water-wheel is especially significant and the quality of the stonework, particularly to openings and archways, is the result of skilled craftsmanship.