Corn Mill Flax Mill — Lickbla

The precise location of a medieval watermill in the townland of Lickbla has not been identified. A 1558 land grant to Sir Richard Nugent, Baron of Delvin included ‘a water-mill in Likebla’ (Morrin 1861, 395). There appears to have been two mills located in Lickbla. In 1647 a fine of £15 was levied on a group of mills in Co. Westmeath to pay Captain Ignatius Nugent of the Irish Confederate Army. The sum of £3 5s 4d. was levied on 'Lady of Glancoe, or her tenants, two mills in Lickbla' (Cal. S.P. Ire., 624). The 19th century corn mills beside Lickbla House may have been located on or close to the site of the medieval mill. The present 18th century mill was described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as following: 'Former corn and flax mill complex, built c.1790 and extended c.1840, comprises detached and attached multi-bay two and three-storey buildings, arranged around a courtyard to the rear (east) of Lickbla House (15400305). No longer in use as a mill complex. Pitched natural slate roofs with overhanging eaves and cast-iron rainwater goods. Built of coursed rubble limestone with evidence of early lime render to some sections of walling. Red brick dressings to the openings. Square-headed openings with remains of diamond pane cast-iron windows and timber battened doors. Segmental-headed carriages arches with replacement timber double doors. Set back from road in mature grounds. Rubble limestone gate piers on circular plan having wrought-iron double gates give access to site from the west. Rubble limestone boundary walls to road frontage (northwest). Double-arched rubble limestone bridge over tailrace to the east' (buildingsofireland.ie). Compiled and revised by: Caimin O’Brien Date of revised upload: 6 December 2016