Flax mill, Near 1 Manse Rd, Katesbridge, Banbridge, Co Down, BT32 5PY

The block under review comprises a flax mill, flax store, engine and boiler room, two sheds and a chimney. Flax mill This two-storey, single-bay mill is aligned NE-SW a short distance south of the Manse Road leading into Katesbridge. Pitched natural slate roof but no rainwater goods. Walls of random rubble granite brought to courses, with brick eaves course. All openings have flat brick heads and brick jambs. SE elevation has two doorways (one infilled) and four windows to GF and a loading door (with cantilevered concrete balcony) and two windows (one still with 3x3 timber frame) to FF. The NW elevation has two doors (one infilled) and two windows to GF, and a loading door and two shuttered openings to FF. Flax store The mill’s NE end is abutted by a single-storey, single-bay former flax store aligned at right angles to it (no wall break between the two and continuous roof). Although only a single space inside, its walls are the same height as the mill. Roof and walls detailed as mill. Infilled doorway to SE gable. with window opening over. Large vehicular doorway with timber head and segmental brick relieving arch to NW gable. A small concrete block animal byre abuts the store’s SW elevation; original window opening over. Engine/boiler room The mill’s SW gable is abutted by a single-storey, two-bay former engine and boiler room detailed as the main mill (no wall break between the two). Window to SE elevation and doorway to NW side; blank gable. Shed 1 The engine/boiler room’s SE elevation is abutted at left by a small single-storey, single-bay shed. Walls of rubble blackstone and brick apex to SE gable. Small window to SW elevation and wide doorway (with timber head) to gable. Shed 2 The engine/boiler room’s NW elevation is abutted at left by a ruinous single-storey, single-bay shed. Roof now missing, but walls detailed as mill. Window to NW gable (head missing) and doorway and window to NE side. The cill of the latter was used as a mounting for a shaft bearing block (oil stained). Chimney A freestanding chimney is located at the NW corner of the mill block. Square random rubble base with brick cornice and above which is a tapered brick flue, also of square section. Top now missing. Semicircular brick openings at base of NW and SE elevations (one for boiler furnace flue, the other for cleaning purposes). In yard in front of the mill block is the ruinous shell of a single-storey, single-bay rubble masonry building. In the yard behind the block is an iron shaft with a scutching ring still attached (mountings for six arms). To NE of block is a derelict and very overgrown two-storey house, now converted internally to animal pens. Setting: Access laneway along NW side from public road across NE end; otherwise surrounded by fields. Roof: Pitched natural slate Rainwater goods: None Walls: Random rubble blackstone and granite Windows: Missing