The Biggest Mill Wheel in Ireland Odlums St Mullins

The Biggest Mill wheel in Ireland St Mullins No16

In 1853 the biggest mill wheel in Ireland was constructed for the New St Mullin’s mill (Built 1847)–It was 36 Feet in diameter. The mill wheel was driven from a mill race which diverted water from the Aughavaud River and flowed into the River Barrow.” The New Mill” as it was known had many predecessors, it was built by Deveraux of Wexford and later sold to Sutton and Howel then John Jefferson then a man by the name of Bud and finally to Odlum’s in 1898. The Mill wheel and mill stones were replaced by the Turbine and iron roller process which enabled quality and quantity of flour to be increased. A coke fuelled steam engine took over at times from the turbine when there wasn’t sufficient water to provide power for milling and electrification of Ireland saw the demise of the turbine and the end of water generated power in St Mullins

St Mullins was one of the few Mills to modernise to compete with the international market and it continued to produce large quantities of flower up until 1965 when the mill was decommissioned. Douglas Odlum was the last owner.

The sluice gates were closed on the Mill race when milling was finished for the day and loads of salmon were left jumping around on the dry race, mill workers just walked along picking up the evening dinner.

In the 7th century St Moling constructed a mill race over a mile in length from Glynn where the river was diverted from the main stream. The present remains of the mill indicated that it was circular in structure and constructed of masonry. 

St Mullins was the greatest of the Celtic Mills to survive in the area, it had many owners and in the last century it was famous for its yellow meal or Indian corn. Grain was imported from Canada as Irish grain was not great for producing white flour. Grain came in from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and as far off as Australia.

The Irish Government put a quota on the Irish millers for the use Irish grain to encourage them to use local produce after Irish independence. The problem was that the flour turned out yellow so some bright spark came up with the idea of using bleach to make it white. I spoke with one of the mill workers who wishes to remain anonymous as he feels there is still someone out there going to sue him for bleach poisoning.

The sluice gates and weir can be seen from the park below the Abbey grounds and grave yard.