Historic Mill listed among State's 'Most at Risk' buildings

Donaghy's Mill in Drogheda is now listed among the State’s 10 Most at Risk Buildings.

The list compiled annually by An Taisce highlights the status of heritage buildings, most of which are already on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Many of the buildings have suffered a poor fate, falling victim to natural decay, vandalism and fires.

Donaghy's Mill is no excecption to the above. In March 2019, a devastating fire broke out in the historic derelict building with flames visible for miles around.

Donaghy's Mill, beside the Boyne river, was a detached multiple-bay four-storey former mill built around 1820, later used as shoe factory and then used as offices and gymnasium. It was a protected structure with Louth Co Council.

The top ten most at risk buildings in 2020 are:

* Hope Castle and Market House, Co. Monaghan

* Durrow Abbey House, Co. Offaly

* Ormonde Centre, Co. Kilkenny

* Ballyrafter Butter Mill, Co. Waterford

* The House by the Churchyard, Dublin 20

* Donaghy’s Mill, Co. Meath

* Duleek House, Co. Meath

* The Iveagh Markets, Dublin 8

* Carrigglas Demesne, Carrigglass, Co. Longford

* Templeview House, Co. Sligo

An Taisce said the register was compiled because of concern at the “growing number of vacant structures that are falling into a state of disrepair”.

The register also provides information on the architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical history of the buildings listed.

According to the An Taisce website Donaghy's Mill has been vacant for a number of years and wasn't maintained. It said the structure was poor with the risk "high".

"Most of the external fabric remains, but there are obvious signs of deterioration, particularly water penetration, slipped slates, vegetation growth, broken windows and vandalism. There is no immediate danger of collapse but the condition is such that unless urgent remedial works are carried out the building will sharply deteriorate.

Ian Lumley heritage officer with An Taisce, speaking to The Irish Times last week, said the top ten are in “no particular order” as all are under threat.

He said “these buildings could be lost to future generations unless direct action is taken soon to preserve them.

They were he said “buildings of importance, both intrinsically and to the heritage of their local areas, buildings that lie vacant and are in such a state of disrepair that they may be dangerous or have no identifiable new use”.

The assessment of risk is directly associated with the condition of the structure and not the external processes affecting it. The register does not include national monuments, but does include a description of the property, assessment of its current condition and the threats to it.

An Taisce is interested in hearing from people who have knowledge of heritage buildings which are lying vacant with no identified new use; suffering from neglect and or poor maintenance with structural problems, or are fire damaged and open to the elements, among other reasons.

For the full register, or to nominate a building see AnTaisce.ie.