Mill — corn in Athlone

One of three mills (WM029-042079-; WM029-042080-) built onto the S face of the 16th century bridge (WM029-042004-) of Athlone. This mill was located at the E end of the bridge built onto the S face of the final arch of the 16th century bridge (WM029-042004-) and is shown on Thomas Sherrard's map of Athlone dating from 1784 (RCB Ms. 151; Murtagh 1994, map 7(A)). The mill known as Jones's Flour mill was built on the site of the 16th century mill and may have incorporated some of the fabric of this mill. Jones's mill was demolished c. 1840 (Murtagh 1994, 12). Sir Henry Piers writing in 1682, described several undershaft mills (WM029-042080-; WM029-042100-) located at either end of the medieval bridge (WM029-042004-) of Athlone. In 1682 he wrote that 'this bridge, tho’ the arches thereof be wide and large, causeth the river, which here is very deep, to rise and swell backwards, so that under it the river hath a great fall, which giveth an advantageous situation to several undershaft mills (WM029-042079-; WM029-042080-) at each end of the bridge' (Vallancey 1786, 86). In 1570 the Crown granted a lease to Edmund O’Fallon, a merchant of Athlone which included the condition that he was within two years of this date ‘to erect a substantial corn mill of stone, roofed with tile or slate, upon the weir (WM029-042081-) of the river Shynnen at such place as the lord president shall think fit so that it be not prejudicial to the river of Athlone and the new bridge (WM029-042004-) there. The president of Connaght to have grist ground toll free, and the use of the weirs two nights every month’ (Nicholls 1994, 218-19). In 1578 a lease was granted to Edmund O’Fallon of ‘two water mills upon the bridge of Athelone, and a castle (WM029-042061-) on the east side of the bridge with a parcel of land adjoining, in co. Westmeath. To hold for 21 years. Rent, 12d. In consideration of his having himself built the mills and castle, which mills grind only for a quarter of the year, and his undertaking to grind toll free the corn required in her majestie’s house of Athlone. But for these considerations the rent would be £3 10s. Not to alien without license’ (Nicholls 1994, 474). In 1597 the Crown granted a lease to ‘Dermod M’Gwyff, of Athloane, gent.; of two water mills built by him on the bridge (WM029-042004-) of Athloane upon the second next arch to Edm. O’Fallon’s mills. To hold for 21 years. Rent £3 10s. The rent had formerly been 12d. with the condition of grinding part of the corn for the castle (WM029-042002-), for which this increased rent is substituted. Provided also that the lessee enrol this lease in the auditor general’s office, within four months; and put in sufficient security for the rent, within three months, in the chief remembrancer’s office’ (Nicholls 1994, 295). In the same year the Crown granted to Edward Fitz Gerald of Rathsillagh a 31 year lease of lands which included ‘a mill upon the water of Clonkille, co. Roscommon, in the province of Connaght, parcel of the late abbey of Athlone, two other mills upon the bridge (WM029-042004-) of Athlone and a castle at the east part of the bridge, and a small piece of land adjoining the said castle in co. Westmeath, parcel of the queen’s ancient inheritance’ (Nicholls 994, 301). There is also documentary evidence to suggest that there were four corn mills, the location of which is unknown, in 1675 (Murtagh 1994, 12). Three watermills located on the medieval bridge of Athlone are depicted on Thomas Sherrard's map (RCB Ms. 151; Murtagh 1994, map 7(A)) of Athlone dating from 1784. On this map two watermills are located at the E end of the bridge built up against the S face of the bridge, a third bridge is shown at the W end of the bridge built up the S face of the bridge. The two mills at the E end of the bridge were probably the same mills that were constructed in the 1570s by Edmund O Fallon of Athlone. Compiled by: Rachel Barrett and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 6 December 2013