Bunnadober Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bunnadober Mill |
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Muileann Bhun na dTobar
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| Alternative names | Moran's Mill |
| General information | |
| Status | Heritage building |
| Type | Watermill |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Location | Rahard |
| Town or city | Ballinrobe |
| Country | Ireland |
| Coordinates | 53°36′27″N 9°16′04″W / 53.607564°N 9.267801°W |
| Elevation | 21 m (69 ft) |
| Completed | before 1838 |
| Closed | 1980 |
| Technical details | |
| Material | slate, clay tiles, limestone, cast iron |
| Floor count | 1½ |
| Designations | |
| Official name: Bunnadober Mill Complex | |
| Reference #: | 664 |
| Renovating team | |
| Renovating firm | Howley Hayes |
Bunnadober Mill is a really old watermill in County Mayo, Ireland. It's so important that it's been named a National Monument! This means it's a special place that the country wants to protect and preserve.
Contents
Where is Bunnadober Mill?
You can find Bunnadober Mill in a place called Rahard, near the Bunnadober River. It's about 3.5 kilometers (a little over 2 miles) southwest of the town of Ballinrobe.
The Mill's Story
How Old is the Mill?
This mill has been around for a long time! It was working by the year 1838. Imagine all the history it has seen!
Who Owned It?
At first, a man named William Walsh owned the mill. Later, around 1900, the Moran family took over. Because of this, some people also call it "Moran's Mill."
What Did It Do?
Bunnadober Mill was a watermill, which means it used the power of flowing water to turn big wheels and grind things. It was mainly used to grind corn. Later, a special oven called a kiln was added to help dry the corn.
Why is It Special?
The mill stopped working in 1980. In 1996, the Irish government bought it from the Moran family to protect it. It's very unique because it has a special type of horizontal water wheel. This kind of wheel is rare in Ireland. Experts say it's an amazing example of old industrial archaeology, showing how clever people were long ago, even far from big factories.
What Does It Look Like?
The mill building is a rectangular shape with three sections and one main floor, plus a half-attic space. The Bunnadober River powered the mill. This river actually starts from water flowing out from underground, from another river called the Bulkaun River.
Inside the mill, you can still see the old machinery. There's also a big collection of other items that were used when the mill was working. These things help us understand what life was like and how the mill operated.
