Newmills Corn and Flax Mills
Free OPW site near Letterkenny with restored 19th-century corn and flax mills, a large working waterwheel and a visitor exhibition.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Newmills Corn and Flax Mills stand on the River Swilly outside Letterkenny. The oldest building on the site is about 400 years old, and mills have worked at Newmills since the early nineteenth century. A flax mill lay at the centre of the complex in Victorian times and supplied the linen industry, which was the backbone of the Ulster economy, while a corn mill ground barley, oats and imported maize.
The site grew to include a public house, a scutcher's cottage and a forge. By the early 1900s Newmills also exported food, and the first butter, bacon and eggs for the grocery business of Sir Thomas Lipton in Glasgow came from here.
Today the mills are a National Monument in the care of the Office of Public Works. The waterwheel that drove the corn mill still turns and is one of the largest working waterwheels in the country. An exhibition tells the history of mills and millers in County Donegal, and entry is free.
Highlights
- One of the largest working waterwheels in Ireland
- Restored corn mill and flax mill complex on the River Swilly
- Exhibition on mills and millers in County Donegal
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Mills and millers of County Donegal – An exhibition on the history of mills and millers, shown with the restored machinery and the working waterwheel.
- Operated by
- Office of Public Works (Heritage Ireland)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free of charge.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Heritage Ireland lists uneven walkways, allows assistance dogs only and lists a wheelchair accessible toilet. A social guide helps first-time visitors, families and people with developmental and learning disabilities to prepare.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Heritage Ireland lists a car park.
The mills are 5 km outside Letterkenny off Churchill Road.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Toilets and a car park are available.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Self-guided visit of the mills and exhibition. |
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