2 Comments
In the nineteenth century Newry and surrounds had around 35 grain mills but few survived into the twentieth century. In fact at one stage you wouldn't have been able to stand at any point in Newry without being able to see at least one mill.
A fascinating book entitled 'Corn and Flour Milling in Newry' from The Mills Archive and authored by Peter Sinclair was released earlier this year. The beautiful glossy publication documents the history of milling, the owners, the workers and their conditions in a remarkable snapshot of a time when grain production was an integral part of Newry life. Illustrated with many previously unseen photographs the book gives an in-depth account of the trade that went on at each mill, along with the challenges faced and in too many cases the inevitable closures.
The book explains that from 1850 to mid 1870's Newry's milling capacity increased five fold but this was followed as speedily by its demise, with cheap American flour flooding on to the market being a major factor along with the ever present threat of fires at such facilities or just the death of the owners leading to their disappearance. Today the Fane Valley facility at Sands Mill in New Street is the only one still operating.
The author explains the first mill in the district was recorded in 1588. Mills included Newry Windmill at Windmill Hill, The Newry Flour Mills probably at Mill Street, Old Distillery Corn and Flour Mills at Bridge Street, Clanrye Mill/ Robert Sands at Canal Quay; O'Hares, Merchants Quay; Dublin Bridge Steam Mill, Merchants Quay Steam Mill; Monaghan Street Corn Mill and Hibernian Steam Mills, Catherine Street.
Further afield mills at Mullaghglass, Camlough, Glasdrummond and Derramore and many others are detailed in the book.
One mill mentioned was Hibernian Steam Mills at Catherine Street in Newry which began milling in 1840. The book quotes a promotion the same year "Hibernian Steam Mills No 3, Catherine Street, Newry. Daniel Collins Begs to apprise the Public, that he has erected Mills for the Manufacture of Flour and Oatmeal, and is at present ready to deliver Indian Meal of the best quality. He will also be prepared in a few says to deliver Flour and Oatmeal, which he will dispose of on Moderate Terms for Cash." Sadly at least on man was killed in the building of this mill when three of them fell and were covered in rubble.
The book documents many of the owners/ merchants of the mills, William Mayne Neill, Robert Sands, James Thompson John and Patrick Reavy, H.J. Wallace are just some of the familiar and not so familiar names.
All in all a really detailed archive of Corn and Flour milling locally, its players and the factors that were at play. It's a book that would certainly prove a fascinating read for those of you interested in the history of Newry.
Corn and Flour Milling in Newry is available to purchase from the Mills Archive Trust at millsarchive.org or some may still be available locally.
