Baile Holme (Ballyholme) , Origins Of An Ulster Townland (N Irish place documentary with scenery)

This is a multi part documentary, looking at the medieval origins of townlands in North Down. Every one of the hundreds of townlands in Ulster has a story to tell, and much of that is a detective story through local knowledge, old and new academic sources.
In this episode we look at how a small, yet strong local waterway would provide natives and settlers with a source of power for their survival and proliferation. Water mills in Ireland were certainly introduced at a very early period of recorded history, long before the arrival of Norse and Normans. The development of the early Christian communities, like Bangor for example, and their associated fermentation of skills and knowledge, did much to advance the availability and practicality of milling. There were different types of mills through the centuries, and different products to mill. They evolved to serve not only small settlements but the commerce of export trade. One thing is certain, however. A good mill site is ALWAYS a good mill site and is much inclined to attract peoples through the ages.

A list of acknowledgements:

Warwick Bridge working corn water mill footage - Jonathan McGuinness at:   / a1weathering  


Table Scene - Norman’s first meal in England, at the center is Bishop Odo, who gazes out as he offers a blessing over the cup in his hand (detail), Bayeux Tapestry, c. 1070, embroidered wool on linen, 20 inches high (Bayeux Museum)

LODE MILL at Anglesey Abbey by Neil Hunt

Montgomery Manuscripts - National Library Of Scotland

Medieval Blacksmiths - 1310 Gorelston Salter

Medieval water mill and pond - 'Mill with eel buckes' © British Library: The Luttrel Psalter

'Water wheel at Allerford' - M J Richardson