Corn Kiln & Store, Glasker Mill, adj 1 Ouley Rd, Ballyskeagh, Banbridge, Co Down, BT32 5DB

Corn Kiln and Store at Glasker Mill

A three-storey, four-bay corn kiln and store built between 1840 and 1859 as part of a substantial mid-19th century water- and steam-powered corn and flax mill complex. The building originated pre-1833 and was extended before 1862. It is constructed of random rubble granite and blackstone masonry brought to courses, with granite quoins. The pitched natural slate roof is in a state of disrepair with no rainwater goods present. Much of the building's original character and fabric survives, and it remains a good example of a medium-sized corn kiln, with most of its original drying floor still intact.

The building is aligned north-east to south-west with its principal elevation facing south-east. The south-east elevation has a door and window to the ground floor, a door (now infilled) and two windows to the first floor, and two windows to the second floor. All openings are flat-headed with brick heads and jambs. A wall break with built-in quoins and a change in stonework approximately halfway along the elevation indicates that the bay at the left end is a later addition. The south-west gable has an infilled window to the second floor but is otherwise blank. The north-west elevation is partly cut into the slope such that the ground floor is not visible. It features four doors (one infilled) to the first floor and three windows (one infilled) to the second floor, with the windows lacking cills. A similar wall break with built-in quoins and change in stonework part way along this elevation indicates an extension at some point in the building's history. The north-east gable is visible only to the second floor level and has a doorway with a brick relieving arch over it, accessed by concrete stairs.

Historical context

The building forms a key component of the Glasker Mill complex, a reflection of the development of rural industry in the area. The complex was established during the mid-1800s when there was a significant shift from toll grinding to merchant milling. Historical records show that uncaptioned mill buildings at Mill Town are depicted on the 1833 Ordnance Survey six-inch map and noted in the 1833 First Valuation as belonging to Andrew McAlister. These comprised a corn mill and kiln, house and offices. The corn mill measured 39 feet by 21½ feet by 6½ feet, and the kiln 31 feet by 18 feet by 8 feet. By the 1853 Ordnance Survey map, the complex was captioned as "Corn and Flax Mills"; its footprint was similar to that of today, with all buildings slightly to the south-east of the original corn mill. The c.1862 Second Valuation book records the owner as Roberts S Corbett and notes the complex comprised corn and flax mills and kilns. At this time the kiln measured 24 yards by 7 yards by 2 storeys, indicating it had been extended to almost twice its original length. The complex also included a flax mill and engine house, a boiler house, and two stores. The complex was powered by two overshot waterwheels (one 20 feet in diameter by 4 feet wide, and the other 14 feet by 2½ feet wide) and a high-pressure steam engine of 14 horsepower, the latter presumably necessary because water supply was available for only about five months of the year. The corn mill contained one pair of gritstone shelling stones (5 feet in diameter) and two pairs of French burrs for grinding (4 feet 4 inches in diameter). The flax mill contained 10 scutching stocks and two sets of flax breakers. The map and Valuation data indicate that the previous complex was entirely rebuilt in its present form sometime between 1833 and 1853. By 1894 the flax mill was noted as "at rest", while the steam-powered flax mill appeared to continue in operation. John J Corbett took over the premises around 1919. By 1922, the corn mill was at rest and the kiln and stores were disused, though the steam-powered flax mill seemingly continued in operation until after the Second World War.

Setting

The corn kiln and store is one of several buildings and structures within the Glasker Mill complex, situated on the north side of Ouley Road at the junction with the main Loughbrickland-Rathfriland road. The corn mill stands to the south-east and the flax mill to the east. A former flax store, now a house (1 Ouley Road), is to the west, with a modern agricultural shed and farmyard to the north. The building is otherwise surrounded by fields. The complex is of historical and industrial archaeological interest, with the building currently recorded as derelict.