Ballykeel Flax Mills, Anthony’s Rd, Ballymartin, Kilkeel, Newry, Co Down, BT34 4PN

The Ballykeel Flax Mills complex is a small group of buildings situated on the west bank of the Mullagh River. The buildings date to between 1820 and 1839. Initially a bleaching establishment belonging to John Walmsley, recorded in 1819, it ceased operations in 1830. A water-powered scutch mill was operational by 1852 under James Walmsley, and subsequently a steam-powered mill containing ten stocks and a flax breaker by 1867, with equipment apparently originating from Floyd’s mill in Kilkeel.

The complex consists of the remains of the water-powered scutch mill, a one-storey building of random rubble granite construction, now roofless. Adjacent to this, at its south end, is a two-storey rubble granite store building of similar construction. To the south of these mills is a one-storey steam-powered mill with a slate gabled roof and cement-rendered walls, featuring shuttered windows. The northeast facade of this building has been rebuilt with concrete blocks and new doors inserted. A former boiler house abuts the west gable of the steam mill, and beside this stands a tapered brick chimney on a granite base, remaining to its full height.

The mill ceased steam-powered operations by 1878, but water-powered milling continued for some time. The steam mill suffered fire damage in 1912 and was subsequently refurbished by Robert Forsythe at a cost of £1500, being operated by him from 1919 until 1933. The water-powered mill was later used for crushing grain. While considered to have some landscape value, the complex lacks sufficient architectural or technical merit to merit statutory listing, but displays industrial archaeological interest.