Mill, Mill Lane, Moneymore, Magherafelt, Co Londonderry

The site comprises a former water-driven corn mill, dating to at least the early 17th century and subsequently rebuilt in 1785, destroyed by fire in 1888, and rebuilt again between 1880 and 1899. It is of industrial archaeological interest and lies within a conservation area. The building is a four-bay long structure with a basement, constructed of gabled, stone-built elements including silos. The south-facing entrance gable features a large, square-headed door opening that is slightly off-centre, with a sliding door. The walls are roughcast rendered and unpainted, without bargeboards. The east wall, facing Mill Lane, has a four-bay length with one large opening at floor level and three smaller openings near the eaves, all now built up. Mill Lane slopes steeply, exposing the basement at the lower end. The walls are built of random white limestone with large quoins of the same stone. A metal half-gutter and PVC downpipe are present. The roof is covered with natural slates. The north gable has an off-centre square-headed door opening to the basement, and a small opening higher up, centered on the gable, which is also built up. This wall is constructed of random rubble white limestone. The west wall is partly obscured by three tall silos and a back return. The top of the tallest silo is connected to the roof ridge by an enclosed shaft. The building sits parallel to Mill Lane, north of and below No. 4/6 Stonard Street. Mill Lane widens approaching the entrance gable. The original mill was fed by a water wheel drawing from a pond and mill race located below No. 4/6 Stonard Street. The race crossed Stonard Street, followed the east side of the First Presbyterian Church site, ran along the bottom of gardens to High Street, was visible at the bottom of the Manor House garden, and ran parallel to the Desertmartin Road, skirting the former Moneymore Railway Station, supplied by a large dam straddling the Tullynagee Road. A sketch of the mill from 1827 by Booth exists, depicting a rebuild of 1785. This mill had a wooden wheel and served as the basis for a reconstruction at Gortin History Park. The current use of the mill is for bird food preparation and packaging.