28.10.04
Irelandclick.com
£1m for Conway Mill
Conway Mill, one of Belfast’s last surviving flax mills, is to receive almost one million pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund which marks its 10th birthday next week.
The huge £950,000 windfall, which will help to restore Conway Mill on the Falls Road to its former glory, will see the Mill get a long overdue facelift.
Originally established in the 1840s, Conway Mill (right) operated until the 1970s and at the height of the flax spinning industry was one of 15 such complexes in the Falls area alone.
Now currently hosting 57 business and community organisations, the Mill is already a very important economic and heritage asset to West Belfast, but its refurbishment will enhance its contribution to the community and ensure that it remains open to members of the public, while creating a number of new jobs and establishing a permanent display allowing visitors to explore the history of the complex and to connect with the life of its workers.
Moya Hinds, Development Co-ordinator of Conway Mill, said that for more than 160 years the mill complex has played an important role in the economic and social life of West Belfast.
“Today it’s a vibrant community, economic, cultural and social centre. The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will help to conserve this valuable piece of history for future generations, as well as providing a catalyst for regeneration in the area.”
The grant was announced at an event in Belfast’s Linen Hall Library last night to celebrate the fund’s first decade in existence in which it has awarded more than £88m to protect and conserve the North’s heritage and to help build a better future. The Heritage Lottery Fund’s Manager in the North, Kevin Baird, said, “It may seem unusual to give gifts on your birthday, but we’re delighted to be able to award nearly £2m to two projects [the historic Bridge Street area of Lisburn also received £1m funding] which will transform their local communities.”
“Belfast was the capital of the linen industry in Europe and buildings like Conway Mill are among our few remaining links to that important stage in the development of the city. Conway Mill has always been about people – from those who laboured in it during the 19th century to the determined members of the local community who have drawn up an ambitious plan to secure its future. Thanks to the restoration, many more people – including tourists – will be able to share in the history.
“These two projects are testament to the fact that lottery money is making a real difference,” continued Kevin, “not just in restoring our heritage, but in creating new opportunities and building a great future for many communities.”
Conway Mill consists of two multi-storey buildings, one of which is the original 1840s structure. The second was constructed in the early years of the 20th century at a time when, according to the census, one third of households in the Falls area had the mother as the main breadwinner, due to the availability of work in the mills.
The restoration programme will link the newly refurbished buildings via a glass walkway. The original engine and boiler rooms are also included in the project. It is hoped that at least one of the floors will retain its open-plan format to preserve the context of the original workplace and allow space for exhibitions and theatre projects.
Speaking at Conway Mill yesterday, Frank Murphy, a former worker at the Mill, reminisced about his time there and said how delighted he was that the Mill was to be restored.
“It was tough, and the people who worked here had to be tough, because most of the time they were hungry, but the craic was great and that’s what kept you going.
“I worked here for about six years, from I left school when I was 14, and I got paid two pounds and two shillings,” said Frank. “And in those days, when it was chilly outside, it was like Bermuda in here. It had to be between 70 and 90 degrees and you had to have the humidity as well, otherwise the yarn wouldn’t have come through properly.”
“And it would be nice to have it restored but still used as it is used, for arts and crafts and having meetings, and it’s important for the community, to give them something to be proud of and to remember the times gone by.”
Journalist:: Ciara McGuigan
£1m for Conway Mill
Conway Mill, one of Belfast’s last surviving flax mills, is to receive almost one million pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund which marks its 10th birthday next week.
The huge £950,000 windfall, which will help to restore Conway Mill on the Falls Road to its former glory, will see the Mill get a long overdue facelift.
Originally established in the 1840s, Conway Mill (right) operated until the 1970s and at the height of the flax spinning industry was one of 15 such complexes in the Falls area alone.
Now currently hosting 57 business and community organisations, the Mill is already a very important economic and heritage asset to West Belfast, but its refurbishment will enhance its contribution to the community and ensure that it remains open to members of the public, while creating a number of new jobs and establishing a permanent display allowing visitors to explore the history of the complex and to connect with the life of its workers.
Moya Hinds, Development Co-ordinator of Conway Mill, said that for more than 160 years the mill complex has played an important role in the economic and social life of West Belfast.
“Today it’s a vibrant community, economic, cultural and social centre. The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will help to conserve this valuable piece of history for future generations, as well as providing a catalyst for regeneration in the area.”
The grant was announced at an event in Belfast’s Linen Hall Library last night to celebrate the fund’s first decade in existence in which it has awarded more than £88m to protect and conserve the North’s heritage and to help build a better future. The Heritage Lottery Fund’s Manager in the North, Kevin Baird, said, “It may seem unusual to give gifts on your birthday, but we’re delighted to be able to award nearly £2m to two projects [the historic Bridge Street area of Lisburn also received £1m funding] which will transform their local communities.”
“Belfast was the capital of the linen industry in Europe and buildings like Conway Mill are among our few remaining links to that important stage in the development of the city. Conway Mill has always been about people – from those who laboured in it during the 19th century to the determined members of the local community who have drawn up an ambitious plan to secure its future. Thanks to the restoration, many more people – including tourists – will be able to share in the history.
“These two projects are testament to the fact that lottery money is making a real difference,” continued Kevin, “not just in restoring our heritage, but in creating new opportunities and building a great future for many communities.”
Conway Mill consists of two multi-storey buildings, one of which is the original 1840s structure. The second was constructed in the early years of the 20th century at a time when, according to the census, one third of households in the Falls area had the mother as the main breadwinner, due to the availability of work in the mills.
The restoration programme will link the newly refurbished buildings via a glass walkway. The original engine and boiler rooms are also included in the project. It is hoped that at least one of the floors will retain its open-plan format to preserve the context of the original workplace and allow space for exhibitions and theatre projects.
Speaking at Conway Mill yesterday, Frank Murphy, a former worker at the Mill, reminisced about his time there and said how delighted he was that the Mill was to be restored.
“It was tough, and the people who worked here had to be tough, because most of the time they were hungry, but the craic was great and that’s what kept you going.
“I worked here for about six years, from I left school when I was 14, and I got paid two pounds and two shillings,” said Frank. “And in those days, when it was chilly outside, it was like Bermuda in here. It had to be between 70 and 90 degrees and you had to have the humidity as well, otherwise the yarn wouldn’t have come through properly.”
“And it would be nice to have it restored but still used as it is used, for arts and crafts and having meetings, and it’s important for the community, to give them something to be proud of and to remember the times gone by.”
Journalist:: Ciara McGuigan
