Report - Barbour Threads - Hilden Mill - Lisburn - August 2015

Speed · Aug 29, 2015

This mill (or more rightfully 'mill complex' as its way more then just one mill) has been a long time target of mine. We first attempted a visit in 2009 but due to our hapless local friends who insisted you had to ask at the gate to be let in (yeh right!) we only ended up seeing a small part of the site. The next year we tried to return again but alas when our flight was cancelled due to an Icelandic ash cloud that trip had to be canned as well.. After that it seemed like interest in big road-trips within my little group of friends dwindled away and the next few years went by without much thought to going back.. Finally 2015 was the year to put things right and boy was it a welcome return. I rate this explore up there with my first trip to the legendary Broadford works which, anyone who knows that place will realise, is going some!

The site is a group of buildings dating from the early 1800s. Each mill building is unique with quirky architecture and embellishments present round every corner. This place really was the epitome of exploring old mills. Everything from amazing iron framed roof trusses to epic under-stairs cupboards overflowing with old looms parts were to be found. We mooched around weaving sheds overflowing with foliage, climbed up into engine houses full of Minton tiles, dashed along mill races ducking in and out of the buddlia... my idea of heaven i think!!

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.