SPAB Ireland Mills Appreciation Day 2023

Event details

For the first time, SPAB Ireland host a Mills appreciation day, celebrating the history of milling in Ireland to coincide with SPAB National Mills Weekend Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th May 2023. National Mills Weekend is celebrated across UK and online on social media channels under the tag #NationalMillsWeekend. SPAB Ireland are delighted to extend the festivities with an event in Ireland for the first time.  There will be talks, tours, opportunities for networking and finding out more about how we can collectively help the milling community in Ireland.

SPAB Ireland have teamed up with the Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland, Mills and Millers Association of Ireland and Clara Heritage Society to bring an exciting programme of events for this inaugural Mills Appreciation Day. Industrial Archaeologist Dr. Fred Hammond will join us on the day and will provide background information to each of the sites. Fred prepared a survey of almost 200 mills, distilleries, breweries and maltings throughout Co Offaly which was undertaken in 2003 at the behest of Offaly County Council. It was funded by the Heritage Council and Offaly County Council as an action of the Offaly Heritage Plan 2002–2006 and will provide a unique background to the wealth of industrial heritage we will see on the day tour. The survey may be viewed here.

In keeping with SPAB Ireland's focus on sustainability this year, the event will consider adaptive re-use of Mills and industrial heritage and sustainable conservation and refurbishment. The sites visited will include refurbished Mills, former Mills which have been adapted to accommodate a new use, and vacant historic Mills. 

Our first stop is at Fancroft Mill

Fancroft Mill & Gardens are located on a tributary of the Little Brosna river, part of the Shannon system, about 4 km. North of the town of Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. An extensive conservation project, commenced in 2006 by Marcus & Irene Sweeney, has resulted in the rescue from dereliction of this mill complex which is of noted industrial heritage importance. A set of new mill stones were installed in 2010. 

The conservation of the mill complex at Fancroft received public recognition in 2017 when the Irish Georgian Society awarded the owners a Conservation Award. The inaugural Norman Campion award for Best Restored Industrial Site or Museum was conferred on Fancroft Mill & Gardens by the Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland in 2019.

The second stop will be in the historic industrial town of Clara, Co. Offaly

Clara Heritage Society

Bernie Henry, Chair of Clara Heritage Society will lead a tour along the “Dickensian Mile” of Clara, highlighting wonderful landmarks such as Charlestown Mill, Erry Mill and Clashawaun Works Jute Factory, giving a fascinating insight into their historical development, and contribution to the development of Clara as an important industrial town. A fantastic history of Clara’s Industrial Heritage can be viewed here - with thanks to the Clara Heritage Society for sharing. The video was created and produced by Anna Orman, Clara Heritage Society.

Our final stop of the day will be at Kilbeggan Distillery

Kilbeggan Distillery (formerly Brusna Distillery and Locke's Distillery) is an Irish whiskey distillery situated on the River Brosna in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, Ireland.   We will receive a guided tour of the old distillery and museum, where much of the machinery dating from the late 1800s can be seen. The distillery was originally powered by a waterwheel, which is still kept in working condition today and displayed for visitors. The tour continues through the boutique distillery, and culminates with a whiskey tasting to end what is sure to be a very exciting day of activities.  

The outline itinerary for the day is as follows:

08:45 Registration at designated pick-up point outside Heuston Station.

09:00 Depart via tour bus from Heuston Station 

10:35 Arrive at Fancroft Mill, Co. Offaly

10:35 – 12:30 Walking tour of Fancroft Mill, followed by tea, coffee and light refreshments

13:30 Arrive at Clara, Co. Offaly

13:30 – 14:00 Lunch at the Mill Bar & Restaurant (Soup, sandwiches, tea & coffee)

14:00 – 15:00 Walking tour of Clara led by Clara Heritage Society. Feature highlights will include Charleston Mill, Erry Mill and Clashawaun Works Jute Factory.

15:30 – 16:30 Kilbeggan Distillery Tour

16:45 – Depart for Dublin, arriving at Heuston Station c. 18:00

This event is supported by the Heritage Council through the Heritage Capacity Fund 2023.

Multiple bookings
As long as there is space on the event, we usually allow you to book for both yourself and a guest. When completing the booking form, you will be asked to select the number of people and put in your own details on the first page, then to put in your second person's details on the next page. The event fee shown on each of these pages is for the individual person - you will be shown the total amount due once you get to the summary page.

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Booking Terms & Conditions

Accessibility: please contact the Group Organiser before booking to discuss any special access requirements.