Write a comment
Gallery Three in Newry and Mourne Museum tells the story of Newry and the local area in the 20th century. South Armagh and south Down have supported a vibrant agricultural economy for centuries and part of the gallery is dedicated to artefacts that explore farming and fishing in this area. This article focuses on artefacts on display which relate to Clanrye Mills (or Sands’ Mill) which was closely connected with the agriculture in south Armagh and south Down.
Located on the corner of New Street and Canal Quay, the building which was once Clanrye Mills is still one of Newry’s most imposing buildings. Built in 1873, it was originally built for Sinclair and Son, a milling company whose premises had burnt down in 1872. The new building was built at cost of £10,000 and designed by the Newry architect, William Watson, in the Venetian style. After Sinclair’s business closed, Robert Sands purchased the property and continued milling. Sands had come to Newry in 1878 to work for R Walker and Sons and then, subsequently, for Abraham Sinclair and Son. In 1884 Sands opened his own grain store on Merchants Quay with one employee. The business expanded rapidly and within three years he had purchased the nearby Sinclair mill. A photograph of the Sands’ Mill taken in 1908 is on display in the Museum along with one of the employees in the same year.
When Robert Sands died in 1915 his wife eventually sold the milling business to four senior employees, Messers Breakey, Corkey, Craig and Lyons. The Mill continued to develop in the following decades and, by 1953, the Mill had changed from steam to electricity. All meal was packed in hundred weight bags, either jute or hessian except for chick mash which was packed in cotton bags. These bags were filled from a spout, direct from the mixer, then weighed and ‘sewn’ with a packing needle and jute cord. This was all done by hand. Later, half-ton bags and bulk delivery were introduced and semi-automatic machinery was installed for sewing the bags.
During the Troubles, in 1972, an incendiary device completely destroyed the offices and a large store. About 1974 the Mill started selling farm machinery and were appointed main distributors for Kuhn Farm Machinery. In 1977 a new company was formed called Robert Sands Machinery Ltd. Photographs of the company’s stands at Balmoral Show in the 1970s can be seen in Gallery Three of the Museum.
In the early 1980s business had become very difficult for independent mills and Sand’s Mill was bought by Fane Valley Co-operative in 1981/2.
A range of butter-making equipment and agricultural implements on display at the Museum will feature in next week’s article.
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the exhibition galleries on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11.00 am. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museum@nmandd.org for further information.
