Page 89 - GAHS Journal Volume 9

GREYSTONES ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOURNAL VOLUME 9

identified by the Office of Public Works in the confines of
County Wicklow. One of which is the mill close to Mill
Road in Greystones, that was served by a water from the
Three Trout stream; referred to by Samuel Lewis in 1837
[7] and in Freeman’s Journal, 26 August 1871. Also,
mentioned by Sean Daly in historical detail. [11]

Timber

Wood had been extensively used in the County from
ancient forests and a lot of this was felled and exported
for ship building over many generations. Shillelagh once
the most celebrated forest in Ireland for the excellence of
its oak, which was exported to different parts of Europe;
and hence it is also said that Turlogh, king of Leinster,
sent the oak for the roof of Westminster Hall to William
Rufus.

Coillte are using vast areas of the County to grow soft
woods and hardwoods in commercial forests; monitored
and managed by that state-run body.

Steam

Steam power was the eventual end for both water
powered, and wind powered mills, but few of them are
mentioned in the county. This is possibly due to the lack
of a local supply of coal. Peat did not provide enough
energy without special processing to generate high
enough temperatures. However, steam pumps were used
to remove water from some of the mining operations.

It was noted during a visit to Craanford Mill, Gorey in
Wexford that steam driven mills had been the downfall of
that mills production.

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