Mill

Bradley et al. (1986a, vol. 1, 42), noted good evidence for watermills on the Barrow at Athy prior to 1700, citing records of mills belonging to both the priory of St. Thomas or St. John (KD035-022006-) and the Dominican Priory (KD035-022004-). In 1654, the Civil Survey noted two mills in the parish of St. John’s Hospital, on the W bank of the Barrow, and three mills in the town of Athy itself. Two mill streams are shown on Rocque's 1756 map of Athy; one running from St. John's graveyard (KD035-022026-) to the River Barrow, S of the bridge (KD035-022008-), and a second running from Rathstewart Bridge S, passing E of the White Castle (KD035-022010-) - and a plaque at the castle is said to have come from this mill. While the precise locations of the mills are unknown, one (KD035-022007-) may have stood on the W bank of the Barrow, beside Cromaboo Bridge, while a second mill (KD035-022009-) may have stood on the opposite side of the river, to the E of the White Castle (KD035-022010-). Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 11 December 2013