Wellbrook Beetling Mill is a restored 19th-century water-powered linen finishing mill located in a woodland setting along the Ballinderry River near Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Operated by the National Trust, it is the last functioning beetling mill in the United Kingdom that remains open to the public on weekends during July and August as part of a guided tour.
The site originated as a linen bleaching works in 1764, established by Hugh Faulkner and his brother.[1] In the 1830s, James Irwin acquired the property and redeveloped it into a beetling mill, replacing earlier structures with the buildings that stand today. The Leeper family took ownership in 1864, sourcing linen from local producers such as Gunning and Moore’s Milburn Factory and exporting finished cloth to markets including New Zealand and Australia.[2]
During the First World War, the mill contributed to the war effort by producing linen and flax in large quantities. Operations declined in the mid-20th century due to the growing use of synthetic fabrics, and the mill closed in 1961.[1]
In 1967, the site and surrounding land were gifted to the National Trust by local landowner S.J. Henderson. Following restoration, the mill opened to the public on 19 June 1970.[1]
Features
The site includes a 16-foot water wheel and original beetling machinery, which are demonstrated during guided tours. Visitors can also explore woodland trails, view a traditional mill worker’s cottage, and participate in educational programs focused on Ulster’s linen industry.[3]
The 16-foot water wheel at Wellbrook Beetling Mill, restored and operational.
Significance
The Mill is a rare surviving example of the region’s industrial heritage and offers insight into the social and economic history of linen production in Northern Ireland. It remains the only publicly accessible beetling mill in the UK.[1]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
