Flax Mill

Many of the Ulster-Scots settlers who lived in rural Ulster were involved in the flax and linen industries in the 18th and 19th centuries.  This authentic small flax mill is typical of earlier flax mills dating from the late 1780s.  It was built in 1850 and came from the townland of Gortiscashel in the Sperrin Mountains of County Tyrone.  The scutching of flax involves the pounding of the flax to extract the fibres from the flax stem. This process was originally done by hand but was later mechanised. 

This mill was built and operated by the McSwiggan family who were local farmers.

The Ulster Folk Museum was created to preserve a rural way of life in danger of disappearing forever due to increasing urbanisation and industrialisation in Northern Ireland.  It celebrates all aspects of our culture including many elements of Ulster-Scots heritage.