Fleetwood Mill (in Ruins)

Remains of mill, c. 100m E of Douglas River and a similar distance N of Araglin River; Araglin Mill (Woollen) (15244) c. 200m to SW. Only NE corner of 2-storey gable-ended structure now stands, built into W-facing slope, of random-rubble sandstone construction. Wheel-pit (Wth 1.5m) alongside N wall, mostly infilled with rubble; curved back of wheel-pit has a fall of c. 5m, indicating that it probably housed an overshot /pitchback waterwheel. Remains of second wheel-pit (Wth c. 2m), with c. 7m drop, alongside E wall; no trace of a head race feeding into this. Present owner suggests it was used as a flax mill and pointed out L-shaped field to W, adjacent to river, as a retting field. Lewis (1837, vol. 2, 220) refers to flax mill belonging to Dr. Collet near Kilworth, which is probably this site. Indicated on 1842 OS 6-inch map as 'Oat Mill', and on 1903 OS 6-inch map as 'Fleetwood Mill (Woollen)'. Millrace taken from Douglas River c. 700m to N; earthen-banked millrace close to mill survives in good repair with remains of three sluice gates. 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