Ballycopeland Windmill Explained

Ballycopeland Windmill
Location Of Mill:Millisle, County Down
Operator:Department for Communities
Purpose:Corn mill
Type:Tower mill
Storeys:Four storeys
Sail Number:Four
Sail Type:Roller reefing sails
Winding:Fantail
Fantail Blades:Eight

Ballycopeland Windmill is a functioning windmill located one mile west of Millisle, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is managed by the Historic Environment Division of the Department for Communities and is open to the public.[1] It is known in Irish as Muileann gaoithe Bhaile Chóplainn and in Ulster-Scots as Ballycopelann Wun-mäll.[2] The windmill is just one part of the fully restored heritage attraction which opened in May 2022.

Features

The visitor centre at the miller's house features an electrically operated model of the mill and hands-on experience of milling. There is also a restored corn-drying kiln.[3]

History

The plastered and white-washed tapering tower is a landmark in that area and the last remaining windmill of more than hundred mills in County Down.[4] It was owned by the McGilton family and the mill ground grain until 1915. In 1935 it was acquired by the government of Northern Ireland.[5] Disused for many decades, in 1978, the old windmill was restored to working order again.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ballycopeland Windmill . Northern Ireland Environment Agency . 2008-12-22.
  2. http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/ballycopelandwindmillus.pdf Ballycopelann Wun-mäll – Department of the Environment
  3. Web site: Ballycopeland Windmill . Discover Northern Ireland . 2008-12-22.
  4. Web site: Ballycopeland Windmill . Emerald Tiger . 2008-12-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090214031806/http://www.emeraldtiger.com/countys/down/bcopeland.htm . 2009-02-14 . dead .
  5. Web site: Ballycopeland Windmill . Geograph . 2008-12-22.