Gas Works — Townparks (imokilly By., Middleton Par.)

In Midleton, on E bank of Owenacurra River. Remains of late 19th century gasworks complex. Marked on 1902 and 1934 OS 6-inch maps. According to local information, closed in 1950s, converted to Midleton Foundry and Engineering Works which was in operation until recently. Main block of buildings consists of a wide gable-ended structure (long axis N-S) with chimney on N gable; limestone quoins. Photograph taken in 1953 (O'Sullivan 1987, 17) shows condenser, washer and scrubber along S external elevation. Little remains except a few iron troughs and hoists. Attached to E is similar but slightly higher and long to N, wide gable ended structure sharing limestone quoins of structure to W; brick quoins elsewhere. Both buildings have brick detail to opes. Attached to N gable and extending W is one-storey structure. Photograph also hsows lean-to structure along S of building running E-W housing the purification machinery (no longer survives). Overgrown remains of two circular gas holders (diam 9.7m) defined by earthen bank which retains wall along inner edge (int. H 1.5m; Wth 2m). Stone wall along S side of complex with entrance gates at E end. Remains of office (long axis E-W) adjacent to S. One-storey work shop (long axis N-S) to W with remains of gas holders on either side. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009