Report - Barbour Threads (Hilden Mill) - Lisburn, Co. Antrim - Sep 2010

[hefex]

This is an old explore and the only one I have on this machine unfortunately. Went by myself in late 2010 after purchasing my first DSLR (Nikon D3000). I was studying a photography course at the time and wanted to explore urban decay as my project theme. I was too afraid to venture inside as my parents told me it was full of asbestos and rotten floor boards. Beautiful architecture with some interesting features (i.e. busts) and lots of wonderful decay.

A bit of the history:

The firm was founded in 1784 by John Barbour from Paisley, Scotland and has had the distinction of being one of the longest-lived in the textile business in the British Isles. John's son, William, set up the premises at Hilden in 1823 and employed about 300 workers in spinning, dyeing and bleaching linen thread.

On the eve of the First World War, about 2000 employees worked at Hilden and the Company built and maintained houses, a school and a community hall for its workers.

Throughout the years the Company accumulated a large quantity of artifacts and records. These be seen at the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum. They illustrate the significance of the Company both to the local community and also as an international producer with world-wide sales.

In February 2006, Coats Barbour announced the company's intention of closing Hilden Mill. This represents the end of the era of Lisburn's long and celebrated association with linen manufacture.

Hope you enjoy - any thoughts for improvement are very much welcome.

 

[Stan464]

Excellent!

I'm due to Move over to NI/Lisburn in the New Year, would love to check this out, as this would be Crazy close.

i was close by looking through the New Building Site (Houses) Close by, but didn't have the right gear on/with me.... Gutted!!!


Thanks

 

[Yorrick]

Good first report. I look forward to some Leeds reports soon.