2001:697 - KILKENNY: Archer’s Mills’, Dukesmeadows, Kilkenny

As part of the ongoing Kilkenny Flood Alleviation Scheme, the OPW propose to remove two mill buildings, referred to as Archer’s Mills. The two roofless stone buildings are located on the right bank of the River Nore, c. 600m west of Kilkenny Castle and some 200m west of the Ormond Mills complex.

The buildings referred to as Archer’s Mills comprise two dilapidated structures, to either side of a mill-race. The southernmost structure is of masonry construction and measures approximately 15.8m east–west by 7m. Its walls are unstable but survive to a maximum height of 3.5m. A possible hearth is located at the east gable wall. Modern concrete additions are located at the western gable wall. A smaller building on the northern side of the mill-race consists of a rectangular masonry structure measuring 12.8m east–west by 6.5m. Its walls appear to be more stable, and the northern wall survives to a height of approximately 3.5m. The southern wall is more ruinous. The impressions left by sluice-gates are present on the walls on either side of the mill-race.

In 1399 James, earl of Ormond, granted to William Archer, carpenter, the use and profits of four mills in and near Kilkenny. These mills were to be repaired by Archer and remained in the possession of the family until the 17th century. The Down Survey of 1654–6 records three mills ‘lying half a mile from the Citty southward upon the river Neore’. Thomas Archer was the tenant when Kilkenny was taken in 1640. All the buildings were stone-walled, with roofs of thatch or partly slated. Two mills were for corn and the third was a ruined tuck mill (used to finish woollen cloth). The Kilkenny Canal feeds the mill-race upon which Archer’s Mills are located. The canal construction commenced in 1757 and the project was abandoned in 1761. Bradley (2000, 16, 17) equates Archer’s Mills with Dullard’s Mill, which suggests a change of ownership from the 19th century onwards.

Initial work on clearing vegetation commenced in October 2001. Preliminary excavation revealed the footings of a series of demolished mill buildings to the east of the standing buildings. The various 19th-century Ordnance Survey maps indicate structures in this location.
Owing to the unstable condition of the walls of both standing structures it was not possible to excavate trenches within the interior. Limited demolition of these walls, entailing the removal of the unstable upper parts, had commenced at the time of writing in February 2002, and additional excavation will take place thereafter. Further details will be included in Excavations 2002.

Reference
Bradley, J. 2000 Irish Historic Towns Atlas: Kilkenny. Dublin.

2 Killiney View, Albert Road Lower, Glenageary, Co. Dublin