Ballycopeland Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ballycopeland Windmill |
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Ballycopeland Windmill
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| Origin | |
| Mill location | Millisle, County Down |
| Coordinates | 54°36′29″N 5°33′24″W / 54.60806°N 5.55667°W |
| Operator(s) | Department for Communities |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Four storeys |
| No. of sails | Four |
| Type of sails | Roller reefing sails |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Eight |
The Ballycopeland Windmill is a cool old windmill that still works! You can find it about a mile west of Millisle in County Down, Northern Ireland. It's looked after by the Historic Environment Division, which is part of the Department for Communities. This means it's open for everyone to visit and explore.
In Irish, people call it Muileann gaoithe Bhaile Chóplainn. If you speak Ulster-Scots, you might hear it called Ballycopelann Wun-mäll. This windmill is part of a bigger heritage site that was fully restored and opened in May 2022. It's a great place to learn about history!
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What You Can See at Ballycopeland Windmill
When you visit Ballycopeland Windmill, there's more to see than just the mill itself!
The Visitor Centre
The visitor centre is located in the old miller's house. Inside, you'll find a cool model of the windmill that actually works using electricity. It helps you understand how the real mill operates. You can also try out some hands-on activities related to milling grain.
Corn-Drying Kiln
Next to the mill, there's a special building called a corn-drying kiln. This kiln has been restored, meaning it's been fixed up to look like it did in the past. It was used to dry corn before it could be ground into flour.
History of Ballycopeland Windmill
The Ballycopeland Windmill has a long and interesting history. It's a very important landmark in its area.
A Unique Landmark
The windmill has a tall, tapering tower that is covered in white plaster. This makes it stand out in the landscape. It's also special because it's the very last working windmill left in County Down. Long ago, there were more than a hundred windmills in this county!
Who Owned the Mill?
For many years, the McGilton family owned and operated Ballycopeland Windmill. They used it to grind grain, like corn, into flour. The mill kept working until 1915.
Government Takes Over
In 1935, the government of Northern Ireland bought the windmill. For a long time after that, it wasn't used. But in 1978, the old windmill was carefully restored. This means it was fixed up so it could work again, just like it does today!
