Corn Mill (in Ruins)

On S side of Buttevant, on W bank of Awbeg River. Substantial L-shaped mill of 5-6 storeys; S elevation of 7 bays. Built of random rubble with ashlar quoins; thin embattled turrets decorate each corner; flat roof (formerly hipped slated roof: see photograph Grove White 1905-25, vol. 1, opp. 372). Wheel-house on E side. Weir diverts water from river almost immediately into wheel-pit. Wheel-pit houses an inward-flowing turbine which transfers power via cogged gear-wheel to line shaft within mill; pulley-wheels along shaft. Wooden floors intact; late 19th-century/early 20th-century machinery survives including winnower, driers, cleaners, hoist and generator. Initials 'NS' inscribed on rough stone on W wall. Erected by Sir James Anderson c. 1810 (Lewis 1837, vol. 1, 235). Worked by Brownings until 1865; subsequently by Corbetts and Walsh; in 1885 worked by Wm. R. Oliver who restored mills and watercourses and introduced Robinson Roller system and installed steam and turbine power (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 1, 372-3). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Image provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/