Water mill

The remains of a vertical undershot watermill was uncovered in archaeological excavations in 1991 (Walsh, 1991, 28). This was the first Anglo-Norman mill excavated in Ireland. It was first described in 1326 as 'schyteclappe mill' (Mc Neill 1950, 17) and later known as Shyreclap mill. A document in 1371 describes it as ruinous (Bradley & King 1987, 1, 40). It was granted to John Pasvanndin that year on condition that he rebuilt it (Mc Neill 1950, 220). ShuteclapMill is mentioned in 1518, associated with a Talbot in 1563 when it was in need of repair (Clarke 2002, 26). The remains comprised a timber-framed mill with an inlet formed by two parallel beams 2.6m apart laid across the river channel, a wheelpit and a headrace formed by a drystone-built wall. Stone footings of a small building which supported the working floor of the mill, were also revealed (Walsh 1997, 50-9).