Former Flax Mill, Glenedra Road, Rincarn, Feeny, Co Londonderry

This is a former flax mill, likely dating to the second half of the 19th century, with a probable period of operation extending until the 1940s. It is situated at the top of Fincarn Glen, beside the Altcattan burn and a short distance from Glenedra Road. The mill retains industrial archaeological interest.

The mill is a single-story, long, stone-built structure with a gabled roof covered in corrugated iron, much of which is in poor condition, partially collapsed. The elevation facing the laneway has six bays and two square-headed openings. A narrower elevation provides a view of the mill wheel. A small, shallow lean-to addition of concrete block construction is present, featuring a small opening above and two segmental arched brick openings with redbrick reveals. The walls are stone built with cement barges, and one gable has a large segmented brick arch with brick reveals; the other gable is without openings. The rear elevation has no openings except for the trace of a flume intended to deliver water. The mill race ran behind the building, parallel to it, originating from a pond nearer Glenedra Road and turning at right angles to supply the flume. There is no trace of a race overflow or bypass, which would have been necessary to discharge to the river, given that a disused quarry behind the mill prevented any other route. Within the building, the original metal mill wheel and some scutching machinery remain.

According to Ordnance Survey Memoirs, a 13-foot diameter breast water wheel was present in Fincarn, although it is uncertain whether this is the one at the mill. OS maps from 1830, revised in 1856 and 1905, document the site.