The beautifully restored and visually breathtaking Riverdale Water Mill

During the Summer we spent some time visiting various water mills around Ireland with The Mills and Millers of  Ireland – the society for the preservation of ancient and traditional Irish water mills. We have visited several mills over the years and Riverdale Water Mill has to be one of the most breathtaking of all the renovated mills we have visited to date.

Situated close to the shores of Lough Neagh on the River Goudy the beautifully restored Riverdale Water Mill is over 200 years old. All its original machinery, including the water wheel itself, is in full working order. Visually breathtaking, Riverdale surpasses all expectations.

Restaurant and Courtyard
Restaurant and Courtyard
The magnificent Water wheel
The magnificent Water wheel
The working water wheel
The working water wheel

 

The Millrace
The Millrace

The millrace on the right converges with the River Goudy as it leaves the mill pond.

View of barn and sluice gate
View of barn and sluice gate
The Sluice Gate
The Sluice Gate

The exquisitely landscaped grounds are stunning and full of delightful surprises at every turn. Riverdale Dam is truly a world unto itself , an ideal location for photographs throughout the year.

Stepping stones along the dam
Stepping stones along the dam
The Goudy river waterfall
The Goudy river waterfall
The Elevated pond
The Elevated pond
View of Mill and Mill pond
View of Mill and Mill pond
Enjoying life on the pond
Enjoying life on the pond
The pathways through the beautifully landscaped gardens
The pathways through the beautifully landscaped gardens
A haven for wildlife
A haven for wildlife

Across the road in the gardens of Riverdale House there is a stone and brick built shower house which was used by the workers at Riverdale Water Mill.  After a long day of  threshing the mill workers would step into the shower and once inside another worker would throw a bucket of water on them from the top of the building.

Frank inspecting the shower
Frank inspecting the shower

The fully restored farmyard which includes both a restaurant and a barn can accommodate functions such as local heritage events and weddings.

If you are the owner of an old mill or indeed a mill site and would like to find out more please contact us here for further information and we will endevour to point you in the right direction.

All photographs are copyright of Eco Evolution