Bridge Mill (Corn) 1935 — Ballyadeen

On E bank of Awebeg River, on E side of Castletownroche; c. 500m NE of woollen mill (15233). Five-storey rectangular mill (26m E-W; 7.4m N-S), incorporating an earlier mill. Earlier section (10.93m E-W; 7.4m N-S) had wheel-pit alongside W wall, was 4-bays wide (S) and probably 5-storeys high. Mill extended to W by 3 bays (L c. 10m), enclosing wheel- pit, and to E by 1 bay (L 2.73m), probably at same time- date stone under 3rd-floor window in E gable reads "R W 1828". In order to create symmetrical elevation two bays of earlier section were blocked up. Extended structure is gable ended, with chimney atop each gable. Both sections of random-rubble limestone construction. Wheel-pit has semi-circular arched opening at either end to accommodate mill race. It contained a large '12ft x 20ft' poncelot water wheel; the curved sluice gate remains (FFIAS, 8). Carved on stone at side of wheel pit is "J. & R. Webb"; scratched on cement repair is "Racks 1912". In 1984 all wooden floors remained, with wooden uprights supporting the joists. Segment of cast-iron pit wheel lay in wheel pit, and in situ were various pieces of milling machinery including cockle drum and screen, cleaning machines, bolter, large hoppers, bucket elevators, and sack hoist; this machinery had been powered by a number of electric motors (Rynne, 1997, 5). By 1998 mill undergoing extensive renovation: wooden floors being replaced by concrete floors at different levels, and all milling machinery and pit wheel segment removed to storage. Lower section of E wall of earlier section recently demolished, and narrow brick wall built atop foundations of W wall. Three-storey, gable-ended grain-drying kiln, short distance outside E end of N wall, indicated on 1842 OS 6-inch map as freestanding, later connected to mill by a passage with iron fire-proof doors. Kiln contained vertical early-20th century oil-fired, electrically driven fan grain-drying kiln. One storey, broad gable ended structure attached to N wall of kiln, wide brick arch in N elevation, chimney atop gable. Kiln and projection demolished in 1997. Two storey, stone built lean-to at W end of N elevation of mill straddling overflow channel. Mill yard to S with weigh bridge, enclosed to E and S by L-shaped, 2-storey store, accommodating office on 1st floor with fine Victorian wooden detail (Rynne ibid., 6). Entrance gate with stone-built pillars, between store/offices and mill, gives access from road. Modern rectangular structure (long axis N-S), built atop stone foundations of earlier building, on W side of yard. Millrace (Wth. 7.62m; recently recut), taken by weir from river c. 150m to N, passes under bridge (14838) and flows alongside E bank of river. A mill is shown here on Down Survey (1655-6) barony map , with a second mill opposite on W bank of river. According to Grove White (1905-25, vol. 2, 142) in the early 19th century there was a mill here 'grinding for the public'; this was taken over by Robert Webb who enlarged the mill (ibid.), probably in 1828 (see above). It burnt down c. 1837 but was again rebuilt; in 1887 the 'old-fashioned millstones' were replaced by 'a modern roller plant' (ibid.). 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