County: Dublin Site name: DUNDRUM: Mill Race
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 99E0089
Author: Redmond Tobin, Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd.
Site type: Milling complex
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 717126m, N 727975m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.289132, -6.243264
Five trenches were opened on the site, positioned along the length of the headrace, from the millpond south to the confluence with the River Strang. They were situated in such a way as to sample the profiles of the race along its total length. In general terms the headrace is not particularly impressive, but it must be viewed in respect of its function. As a millrace, it never served as a direct power source. Its function was purely indirect, to channel water into the millpond. Nonetheless, the headrace would carry substantial amounts of water and, therefore, had to be well built and maintained.
The profiles through the millrace clearly show the method of construction employed. Where the millrace exits from the River Strang, the channel is narrow and cut into the granite bedrock. As it approaches the millpond, it becomes wider and shallower and shows considerable evidence for alterations and redesign.
In general, the millrace appears to have remained in use over a considerable period of time from its inception in the early 19th century. Structural changes might be explained through change of function/ownership, repairs after periods of disuse and/or changes in the hydrological needs of the site.
2 Killiney View, Albert Road Lower, Glenageary, Co. Dublin
