Ambitious multi-million euro plans lodged for historic Mullingar mill

Ambitious plans are underway to bring a late 18th-century corn mill complex at Dalystown, Mullingar, back to life, and transform it into a kiln museum and exhibition space, as well as a fine-dining restaurant and bar, along with tourist accommodation in the form of six detached single-storey pods.

Once owned by George Rochfort of Rochfort Demesne, younger brother of Robert Rochfort, Earl of Belvedere, the mill is of huge historical significance to the area, and local family the Moores from Tudenham, spearheaded by New York-based businessman John Moore, have their minds set on restoring the old buildings to their former glory.

Rochford Mill Heritage Centre Ltd have lodged plans with Westmeath County Council to renovate and restore the exist-ing two-storey kiln building to become the main reception building, with kiln exhibit room and display area on the ground floor, and fine-dining restaurant and bar upstairs. Plans include a modern glass extension with an open-air first floor balcony area.

Permission is also sought to renovate, restore and repurpose the existing three-storey mill building as a museum, with internal exhibit areas over all floors, including external restoration of the mill race and mill wheel. Also included in the plans for renovation are the existing cottage building, outbuilding, and ornate, two-storey miller's house.

The application includes plans to install six detached single-storey short-term accommodation pods on site.

"It will be of massive benefit to the area," says Damien Clear, planning design consultant on the project.

"This is a multi-million euro plan with a team of specialised tradesman and craftsmen in place for the build.

"If it gets the green light from Westmeath County Council, this development has the potential to inject a minimum direct capital investment of over €3 million in the area, and it is estimated that a development of this scale and nature could provide up to 100 construction jobs. Once up and running, direct employment figures are projected to rise from five to 15 in the first three years alone. Indirect employment and service opportunities could easily be double that," says Mr Clear.

"There are plans for guided tours including demonstrations with the corn mill and water wheel, showing how corn was milled by pure hydraulic power. The kiln and chimneys will also be fully restored, as will the drying floors and the period miller's house and old-world cottage.

"The option to stay a while in one of the six short-term accommodation pods will also be on offer. They can cater for up to six persons where guests can relax and unwind in the natural unspoiled surroundings and use the Rochford Mill Heritage Centre as a base while sampling other local attractions in Mullingar and Westmeath."

A Westmeath Architectural Heritage Report from 2007 describes the Rochfort Mill complex as being of particular importance and merit. "It appears to have remained virtually unaltered and with a full complement of mill-related structures...This is a largely unique and untouched site and is a rare find in today's landscape,” the report states.

"The great thing about this unique development is that it will complement existing service providers and ties very well into the rich historical fabric of Mullingar and Westmeath," continues Mr Clear.

"It will expand tourism opportunities and reinforce the quality of our heritage offering. The owners of the property have made the brave decision to restore this historically significant ruin, and I am delighted to have been part of this collaborative effort to see these historical buildings be brought back to life," he adds.

Mr Clear believes that if the plan gets the thumbs up from the council, the complex could be up and running within two years.