Drumaroad Corn & Flax Mill

On the 2nd December 1825, a lease was drawn up and agreed between Mr. Mathew Forde of Seaforde, and Mr. Hugh Shaw, of Drumaroad. The lease was to let a farm to Hugh Shaw and his heirs, all that parcel of land in the possession of the said Hugh Shaw containing twelve acres, one rood, and twenty-three perches. The yearly rent of seventeen pounds, seven shillings, together with six pence in the pound agent's fees, plus taxes payable by two equal payments on first of May and every first day of November in every year to be paid to the Forde Estates, Seaforde. Mathew Forde also had drawn into the lease of Hugh Shaw, of Drumaroad, the work of a man and horse and cart yearly and every year for four days annually if requested. The Drumaroad Mill was appointed to Hugh Shaw and his heirs to grind all their grain. Yearly rent was £17, 15 shillings, 8 pence.

If lands were sold, let without the license of Mathew Forde, or, if Mathew Forde did not give consent as to the sale of any lands under Hugh Shaw, Drumaroad, rent would increase to thirty-four pounds by two equal payments of 19 pounds and 17 shillings.

The Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland book, Volume Seventeen, Parishes of County Down IV, 1833-37, refer to both Drumaroad Corn and Flax Mills, which Hugh Shaw used on his farm in Drumaroad: - Drumaroad Corn Mill is described as:

Drumaroad Corn Mill

Drumaroad corn mill, in the townland of Drumaroad to the south east of the road between Castlewellan and Ballynahinch, on the north eastern bank of a small stream which lower down takes the name of the Moneycarragh river, which is a slated house in good repair, held by Hugh Shaw from Colonel Forde.

It was built in 1834, supply of water not sufficient in dry weather, works about three months in the year. Nature of the wheel reverse overshot, diameter of water wheel 15 feet, breath of water wheel 3 feet 8 inches, diameter of cog wheel 7 and a half feet, double-geared, machinery and metal.

Drumaroad Flax Mill

Drumaroad flax mill, situated in the townland of Drumaroad to the south east of the above corn mill, is a small-slated cabin in good repair, held by Hugh Shaw from Colonel Forde. It was built in the year 1827. Water supplied from the same stream as the corn mill, with a like deficiency in summer. Works about 4 months in the year. Nature of water of wheel reverse overshot, diameter of water wheel 16 feet, breath of water wheel 3 feet 6 inches, diameter of cog wheel 10 feet, single-geared with wooden and metal machinery.

By kind permission of Mr. Gerard Maginn, Drumaroad.

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ORIGINAL MILLSTONES ONCE USED IN CORN MILL NOW AT THE ENTRANCE TO MR GERARD MAGINN'S HOUSE CARNREAGH ROAD DRUMAROAD

By kind permission of Mr. Gerard Maginn, Drumaroad.

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