History
In 1784 John Barbour, who hailed from Scotland, established a linen thread works in Lisburn. At the same time his son, William, bought a derelict bleach green at Hilden and set up business. Later, the thread works were transferred to Hilden and as early as 1817 it was employing 122 workers. In 1823 William Barbour bought a former bleach mill at Hilden and built a water-powered twisting mill. The Linen Thread Company was founded 1898 and it quickly became a large international company. In fact it became the largest linen thread mill in the world, giving Lisburn a richly deserved international reputation. By 1914 it employed about 2,000 people and until recently some 300 workers were still employed there, with the work-force dropping to just 85 in recent years. Among the company's varied products were nets, which could be made into snares and fishing nets. The company built a model village for its workforce in Hilden, which consisted of 350 houses, two schools, a community hall, children's playground and village sports ground. Lisburn became the envy of the world thanks to its Linen and Thread industry and now the last remnant of that history is to close its doors for the last time.
Explore
I spent a few days over in NI with the mrs and kids visiting family and needless to say after a couple of days the bin lids were doing my head in
So a wee break was needed and I managed to get a day to myself for some exploring. Couple of cans, 20 tabs and my camera. Spot on.
Super trashed and full of local youths running riot, but a very enjoyable, relaxing day. Just what I needed. I only intended on spending a couple of hours here but the size of the place, and me being snoopy AF soon scuppered that plan.
Pics
How the site currently looks
In the 60’s
The same building now
Continuing with some of the out buildings/sheds
This is the inside of the former engine house in the photo above
Onto some pretty unique features, starting with this rather cool stairwell
I loved this weird chimney type tower on the side with tiny toilets either side of it
With some plain, but lovely green tiling
It’s clear the mill has had some serious alterations done to it over it’s long life, this appears to have been an other engine room at some point.
In 1784 John Barbour, who hailed from Scotland, established a linen thread works in Lisburn. At the same time his son, William, bought a derelict bleach green at Hilden and set up business. Later, the thread works were transferred to Hilden and as early as 1817 it was employing 122 workers. In 1823 William Barbour bought a former bleach mill at Hilden and built a water-powered twisting mill. The Linen Thread Company was founded 1898 and it quickly became a large international company. In fact it became the largest linen thread mill in the world, giving Lisburn a richly deserved international reputation. By 1914 it employed about 2,000 people and until recently some 300 workers were still employed there, with the work-force dropping to just 85 in recent years. Among the company's varied products were nets, which could be made into snares and fishing nets. The company built a model village for its workforce in Hilden, which consisted of 350 houses, two schools, a community hall, children's playground and village sports ground. Lisburn became the envy of the world thanks to its Linen and Thread industry and now the last remnant of that history is to close its doors for the last time.
Explore
I spent a few days over in NI with the mrs and kids visiting family and needless to say after a couple of days the bin lids were doing my head in
So a wee break was needed and I managed to get a day to myself for some exploring. Couple of cans, 20 tabs and my camera. Spot on. Super trashed and full of local youths running riot, but a very enjoyable, relaxing day. Just what I needed. I only intended on spending a couple of hours here but the size of the place, and me being snoopy AF soon scuppered that plan.
Pics
How the site currently looks
In the 60’s
The same building now
Continuing with some of the out buildings/sheds
This is the inside of the former engine house in the photo above
Onto some pretty unique features, starting with this rather cool stairwell
I loved this weird chimney type tower on the side with tiny toilets either side of it
With some plain, but lovely green tiling
It’s clear the mill has had some serious alterations done to it over it’s long life, this appears to have been an other engine room at some point.
