Residents aim to retain historic Swiftbrook mill
By Mary Dennehy
THE Swiftbrook paper mill chimney and its rag store are at the centre of a campaign by Saggart residents to retain, preserve and promote the history and heritage of their village in the face of development.
According to results from Census 2016, Saggart is Ireland’s fastest growing town – with the village’s population increasing by more than 50 per cent in the space of five years.
Part of the old Swiftbrook Mill in Saggart
The statistics gathered through Census 2016 revealed that the population of Saggart jumped from 3,060 in 2011 to 4,640 in 2016 – an additional 1,580 people for a relatively small townland.
Despite the development in-and-around Saggart village, residents have raised concerns around the lack of amenities – which includes no community space.
There are also concerns around the retention and preservation of the area’s rich heritage and historical features, including the Swiftbrook mill chimney and its rag store.
Running from around 1785 to 1972, the paper mill was at one stage making world class paper – which was recognised internationally and used for everything, from envelopes to official Government documents.
The business also employed more than 400 people at the height of the famine and produced the paper that the 1916 Proclamation was printed on.
Historical features
Residents are now hoping that, just like the Round Tower development in Clondalkin, that the history of the paper mill can, alongside Saggart’s other historical features, be preserved and promoted through the creation of a historical or community hub.
Amanda Crone, Chairperson of the Saggart Village Residents’ Association, told The Echo: “We want to retain the historical features of the village including the old mill, which is an important part of the history of Saggart and the four districts area [Saggart, Newcastle, Rathcoole and Brittas].
“We want to retain the area’s history and heritage and make sure that it is not forgotten with all of the development.”
She added: “There are no amenities in Saggart Village, there’s no facilities, no green spaces, no community space.
“We have one of the biggest hotels in Europe in Saggart, the Citywest Hotel, and the Luas coming into the area.
“However, there’s nothing here for residents or visitors.
“There is great historical significance in the area but people don’t know what’s here and there’s no community space for them to visit or sit down in when they get here.”
The resident’s concerns around the future of the mill chimney and its rag store were raised at this week’s South Dublin County Council’s Tallaght Area Committee meeting by councillor Martina Genockey (Labour).
Cllr Genockey told The Echo: “I wanted to help get the ball rolling for residents and to see where the council is in terms of the old mill.”
In response to Cllr Genockey’s question, the council confirmed that the mill chimney, rag store and single-storey mill building are protected structures – with the rag store currently in residential use at the first and second floor.
“The Mill chimney and single-storey mill building were restored during 2014 and the necessary conservation work completed which was partially funded under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme,” the council said.
“The existing chimney and single-storey building although located in open space, they have not been taken in charge and therefore remain in private ownership and the responsibility of the owner.”
TAGS news
