Annsborough Mill - near Castlewellan | |
Holly timber and its vital role in East-Down’s linen industry During the 19th century linen mills mushroomed throughout Ulster. Their locations were determined mainly by the availability of water. In East Down, the village of Annsborough, near Castlewellan, fulfilled all necessary criteria. Not only did Annsborough’s mill bring employment but interestingly it provided an unexpected boost to the income of local landowners throughout the 1914-1918 war. Annsborough mill and Greenvale bleach works were founded in 1800 by James Murland. His early efforts were mainly on bleaching linens, but by 1828 spinning machinery for handloom and powerloom weaving were introduced. Further expansion led to large building being added in 1836. The new complex consisted of three stories and a dormer story 240 feet long and 50 feet wide. By 1990 the spinning mill had 10,000 spindles. Some of the yarns produced were woven into sheetings and diapers by 100 power looms and sold worldwide. Water and steam drove the machinery in summer and in winter water was almost strong enough to drive the machinery alone. Over 1,000 were employed with two thirds of the workforce female. At the outbreak of war in 1914, Annsborough’s linen industry was thriving. Orders from the war office in London further boosted the order book but at the height of demand the Murlands were confronted with a major problem. Their supply of bobbins had ceased due to shipping embargos. Bobbins (spools) had a vital role in the manufacture of linen. Machinery rotated them on spindles to wind thread. Their shortage gave an unexpected boost to the income of local landowners. From his office in Newcastle G.W.Young, agent to the Meade estate, reported: |
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‘The remittances in 1918 and 1919, however included two unusual and exceptional items of £600 and £432 respectively, which accrued (not from rents) but from very successful war time dealings I had with local spinning factories in respect of holly timber sold by me at war prices to them for bobbin making in lieu of boxwood which could then not be obtained’. On the 16th February 1918, Young reported: I wish to let you know that yesterday I remitted a sum of £400 to your credit re sale of holly timber. I have now cut and delivered 88 tons out of the 100 we sold to Messrs Murland for the £600. I think we could sell another 50/60 tons without doing any great harm. I wrote Mr Murland today asking if they were open to take delivery of another 40 tons subject to your sanctioning the deal. On 8th July 1918, he reported: A Newcastle timber merchant and saw mill owner, Camlin by name, called here recently about the timber in Green Lane, Burrenreagh, for which as you know I am trying to get a good price. Camlin has been nibbling at this timber for some time and recently offered me £52 for it, which I declined hoping to get more out of him. This offer I may ultimately be obliged to accept in the absence of a better. On 5th October 1918, he reported: I have done two other small deals in holly to another spinner, Messrs Thos Sinton & Co of Killyleagh and Tandragee, each for six tons. In order to secure the two small orders I had to deliver it at Castlewellan railway station as carts are so difficult to get and the expenses so great, this is rather a nuisance. I am glad to say I made a rather good deal about the carting as I settled up with Sinton’s to do it at 12/6 a ton and after a lot of enquiry I managed to hit off a man who would do it for 10/- the ton, so if all goes well this means you will get £6.2.6 instead of £6 per ton for these small lots. I told Sintons that I must get the money before I cut. Boxwood, for industrial use, was imported into Ireland mainly from North America. It reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 19th century and again during the Colonial Revival era and was popular for topiary and the manufacture of chess sets. The wood of holly is white or greyish white and generally featureless though sometimes with greenish streaks. It is much denser than that of any other native hardwood. Like boxwood, it is used for carving, inlaying and woodcuts. When dyed it resembles ebony and proved to be a godsend to Annsborough’s linen industry in their day of need.
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