Tour of Newtown Mill & Waterwheel

Newtown Mill is situated on the River Goul, 5km west of Durrow, Co Laois. It was built around 1800 to grind wheat into flour for which there was a high demand at that time. Its relatively large size (5½ storeys) contrasts with much smaller water-powered corn mills in which oatmeal was produced. Unlike some mills which adopted steam power in later years, water was Newtown’s only source of motive power throughout its working life.

In 2026 the Erkina Blueway Association received funding through the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant towards the restoration of the mill’s waterwheel, the only remaining example in county Laois.

For Heritage Week Michael (‘G’) Phelan from the Erkina Blueway Association will give a guided tour of the mill building showing the remaining milling machinery, grinding stones and the waterwheel.

Places are limited so booking is essential.