Donaghmore Mill was originally owned by the Dugdale family and provided a hub of activity for the Laois village in the 1800s and into the mid 20th century. Now the mill stands motionless and mute; the only sound is that of the water from the Erkina river breaking the silence in the centre of the rural village, at a site historically named the Swallow’s Quarter.

While the river is no longer working the mill, the local restoration team from Rathdowney and Donaghmore Vintage Club works on to bring the unique stone building that is the Donaghmore Mill back to some semblance of its former glory.

The mill’s special feature is its unique kiln, which was used to dry grain across three floor levels. This was a Russian-designed kiln from the mid-1800s that was modified to suit the local needs. During drying, the grain was distributed across the three floors to a depth of about 75mm (3in). The grain was kept raked by a team of stooped workers bent down under the low ceilings. The warm air generated by the kiln dried the grain.

The system proved very successful for decades and was used up until the 1940s. The kiln was believed to have been fuelled by a mix of timber, coal and turf fed manually into the base of the kiln. From there, the heat rose and radiated across three floors that were timber in structure and surface-skimmed with thin layer of concrete. The system provided an excellent method of grain drying.

In his 2005 Laois Heritage Mills Survey, Fred Hammond described how: “In the later 1800s, a malt house was established just west of Donaghmore beside a large flour mill powered by a tributary of the Erkina River. The proximity of the mill suggests that the malted barley was probably also milled into malt at this site. After malting ceased, the building was used for cleaning and storing seed grain. Although long disused, it is reasonably intact and in fair condition.”

After the Dugdale family, the history of the malt house and mill included a period in the ownership of the Donaghmore Co-op, which was formed in 1927 during the growth of the co-op movement which had been founded by Sir Horace Plunkett in 1889. In 1968, Donaghmore Co-op was amalgamated with other creameries to form Avonmore Co-op. Over time, the role of the mill was rationalised and it was effectively closed.

The local Rathdowney and Donaghmore Vintage Club, headed up by Jim Kelly, Donal Sinnott and Martin Bergin, sought to buy the declining premises in the 1990s. It stands on a 1.6 acre site in the centre of Donaghmore village, a village with an interesting history, but which today seems caught in a time warp.

After years of campaigning and with the support of the late Pat Brophy, an Avonmore board member, they were eventually successful and bought the site for £25,000, payable in stages.

A daunting task lay ahead of them. The stone buildings were in poor shape, the mill was showing signs of neglect. Some of the adjoining buildings were roofless, with trees growing where scores of young children were reared and played.

Over time, the buildings were carefully restored. The smaller support buildings were re-roofed and made secure. Today, one of them acts as an office for the Irish Vintage Engine and Tractor Association (IVETA).

The most recent major operation involved the repair of the roof to protect the valuable kiln. This is the only part of the restoration to date that was grant aided. Under the care of architect Evelyn Duff, and builder Pat Moore, the local team has had considerable success.

The overall cost of the mill restoration programme is in the region of €230,000. Some funding has been provided by the Laois Partnership Heritage Fund.

The next stage will involve replacement of windows and doors. The local team is hoping to get a new larger access door inserted in one end to allow for wider machine access.

The setting was destined to offer something special and attractive in reclaiming the past of a unique village centre. The local team of Jim, Donal and Martin continue to work patiently to restore sections stone by stone and slate by slate.

The work is far from finished and there is new enthusiasm. The IVETA has rowed in behind the Donaghmore restoration. Chairman Jim Fogarty from Thurles is supporting the venture so that in time the Donaghmore Mill can provide a focal point for IVETA activities and resources.

The Donaghmore restoration project is as ambitious as it is special. The longer vision of all of those involved is of a village centre that’s unspoilt and lends its surroundings to the re-creation of an important time in our past.

KARE tractor run raises €9,000

Mary Keogh from KARE was in touch to tell us that the eighth Tinahely annual tractor run which took place on Saturday 5 October was a great success. There were 85 tractors on the run and the event raised almost €9,000.

Mary says a sincere thanks to everybody who took part in the run – participants, people who sold and bought lines, sponsors of prizes, Civil Defence, road marshals, and all who helped in any way on the day. That ongoing support and help is really appreciated.

The main prizewinners include: First prize €300, Dowes Brothers, Carnew; Second prize €150, Shem Levengstone, Carnew; Third prize €50, Denis Kinsella, Knockananna.