Site no OFIAR-042-008 Mill Park - Offaly County Council

Site no OFIAR-042-009 Brosna MaltingsCounty Offaly Townland Drumakeenan (Clonlisk By,Ettagh Par)TownPlanning Offaly CC Discovery map 53 Six-inch map 42SummaryDerelict remains of substantial mid 19th century maltings belonging to Merrs Perry,incorporating an 18th/early 19th century water-powered flour mill. Large waterwheeland power transmission gearing survive.HistoryDescribed in the 1840s Mill Valuation book as a flour mill operated by Richard Dowd.It had a 20ft x 10ft waterwheel driving five pairs of French burr stones. The wheelturned at 3½ rpm and was the fifth largest diameter wheel in the county at this time.The premises had a rating of £84.10s.0d - the second highest in the county afterManor Mill, Birr (OFIAR-035-009). Dowd may also have been operating anothernearby flour mill at this time (OFIAR-042-010).Noted in the 1851 Griffith Valuation as belonging to Robert Dowd, along with a miller'shouse and office. It was rated at £150 at that time. This rating is equalled byCharlestown Mill, Clara (OFIAR008-042) and surpassed only by Erry Mill, Clara(OFIAR-008-038). Dowd was also operating the above flour mill at this time as well.Cited as Brosna malt house on 1885 OS map, and as Brosna Maltings on 1909edition. Probably in the hands of Messrs Perry by this time.Component OFIAR-042-009 1TypeGrain kiln; Grain mill (water); MalthouseFunctionGrain milling; MaltingCategoryFood processing & products; Drinkprocessing & productsContextIndustryIrish Grid 210185 191883 +/- 10mSurvey date 18/07/2003SurveyorFred HamondBuildingWaterworksPlantMachineryDescriptionRemains Substantial remains Condition Poor Use DisusedRemains Substantial remains Condition Fair Use DisusedRemains Complete Condition Poor Use DisusedRemains Some remains Condition Poor Use DisusedBuildingsThis block comprises three contiguous bays all aligned east -west. The north baystands six floors high, including basement and attic. The roof is largely missing butthere are vestiges of a half-hip gable at its west end covered with natural slates overcommon rafters and single purlins. The walls are of random rubble, with ashlar eavesand dressed quoins; also vestiges of lime render. Square-headed openings with brickheads and jambs; no cills to windows. Window frames are 4x4-pane metal framesand 2x3 timber casements. Apart from the ground floor, there are no internal floors ormachinery. There are remains of perforated zinc sheeting which probably belonged toa former kiln.The middle bay is four storeys high (including attic) and has similar roof and walldetailing to the north section. Its east gable is inset slightly from those on either sideand its west end projects. Its west gable is abutted by a single-storey rooflesswaterwheel house. Internally, the floors are now missing. At on corner of the groundfloor is a jack-arch ceiling (three arches), probably part of a former kiln.The south bay is similar to the north section. Although very overgrown, it appears to