Pluck Mills, County Donegal

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Detached multiple-bay three-storey former corn mill, built c. 1860 and possibly containing the fabric of an earlier mill to site, c. 1800. Not out of use and derelict. Pitched roof, now collapsed, having remains of cut stone eaves course. Rubble stone walls. Segmental-headed window openings having stone sills, red brick voussoirs, and remains of multiple-pane metal windows with timber frames. Square-headed doorways and loading bays having red brick voussoirs and remains of battened timber doors. Remains of metal machinery and millstones to site. Located to the east bank of the Isle Burn in the rural countryside to the south-west of Manorcunningham.

The impressive remains of a substantial three-storey water powered former corn mill of mid-nineteenth century date. It is robustly-built using local rubble stone masonry while the red brick voussoirs to the openings are a feature of many mid-to-late nineteenth century mills and outbuildings. It retains the remains of battened timber doors and metal windows to the openings, which are features found at many contemporary industrial sites. This mill was originally powered by water diverted from the Isle Burn to the west and stored in a mill pond to the south. Cartographic evidence suggests (Ordnance Survey twenty-five inch map of c. 1905) suggests that it may have had internal waterwheel(s). Of technical interest is the survival of much of the machinery to site, albeit in a dilapidated condition. This building provides an interesting historical insight into past industrial process and a period when a great deal of small-scale industrial enterprise was carried out in the rural Irish countryside, and is an element of the built and industrial heritage of Donegal. This mill was in the ownership of an Alexander Lecky in 1881 and 1894 (Slater’s Directory) who was a grain and flax merchant, and miller. There was formerly a small-scale flax mill to the south of site, now demolished or ruinous. The arrangement of a corn and flax mill to the same site is a phenomenon that was mainly found in Ulster, and this is one of a number of examples of this in Donegal. The earlier mill to site, part of which may be contained within this building was in the ownership of a Sir Edmund Hayes in 1836 (Ordnance Survey Memoirs) whose tenants were bound to have grain ground here at a rate of ‘the 25th grain’ with other persons charged at ‘the 35th grain’.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 40905455

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Picture notes

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Computer-made picture. It does not show this playground.
Richard Webb, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Kenneth Allen, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Sitomon, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Eeno11, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Kenneth Allen, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
P L Chadwick, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Andreas F. Borchert, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

bridge359 yd

Explorer Tom Bridge in Pluck used to carry a tiny narrow-gauge train right across that wide country gap. I picture the little engine puffing smoke like a grumpy grandpa, convinced it was the only vehicle important enough to cross the road.

Connaghan's BridgeBridge · 654 yd

Explorer Tom Connaghan's Bridge has a V-shaped stone nose pointing straight at the Corkey River. I bet the masons in 1800 thought it was the only way to stop the water from getting cheeky with their new road.

Children's playground1382 ydComputer-made picture. It does not show this playground.

Explorer Tom Another Children's playground in County Donegal that smells faintly of rubber and regret. I bet the see-saw has a favorite side because everyone cheats. If anyone asks why you are here, tell them Tom sent you.

Battlefield in Tully (kincraigy Ed),glenmaquin Lower,roosky (castleforward Ed)Battlefield · 2.1 mi

Explorer Tom Battlefield in Tully, Glenmaquin Lower, Roosky is a patch of earth that remembers being trampled by very angry people. It's quiet now, but the ground still feels like it's holding its breath. Stand where the owner stood and practise looking smug about your discovery.

Battle of FarsetmoreBattle · 2.5 mi

European Yew3.2 mi

Explorer Tom European Yew in County Donegal is a yew, which means it’s tough, old, and probably poisonous if you look at it wrong. It’s the kind of tree that survives empires and bad haircuts. Bring your own legend, I've run out, make up a story about a dragon living in its branches.

Rowan3.3 mi

Explorer Tom Rowan in County Donegal is hiding because it thinks it wards off witches, but I'm pretty sure it just hates the rain. It needs permission to exist properly. Ask it politely if it wants a cup of tea.

Mongorry HillMountain / peak · 3.4 mi

Explorer Tom Mongorry Hill is having a bit of an identity crisis, probably because 'Mongorry' sounds like a dog that stole your sandwich. It’s just sitting there being a peak in County Donegal. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

CostaCafé · 3.5 mi

Explorer Tom Costa in Letterkenny is selling coffee that wakes up the dead faster than a shock. Grab a latte before they change their hours and lock you out!

Aka Big ParkChildren's playground · 3.6 miComputer-made picture. It does not show this playground.

Explorer Tom Aka Big Park in County Donegal sounds like it was named by a drunk uncle. Probably full of swinging kids and lost socks. Wave at the swings for me on your way through the fun zone.

The Yellow PepperRestaurant · 3.7 mi

Explorer Tom The Yellow Pepper in County Donegal is clearly named for the spice level, not the colour of the walls. I’d love a mild one, but they probably don’t do that here, do they?

Cathedral4.9 mi

Explorer Tom Cathedral in Raphoe Townparks is a palimpsest of history, with 9th-century carvings hiding inside its modern walls. Adomnán himself was linked to this monastery back in the 7th century, so that ground has seen more than just your average Sunday service.

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