Skerries Windmills
On a very chilly January day, myself and Jason joined in with Peter Donegan’s Garden Group for our fifth trip out. Peter is a gentleman, a genius and a landscape gardener extraordinaire and has organised all of these trips off his own bat and they’ve all been brilliant. This time the trip was to Skerries Windmills in North County Dublin.
The mills in Skerries were used for grinding corn: wheat, oats and barley – wind power complementing water power, particularly in times of drought. At the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII in 1538, the Canons Regular of St Augustin of Holmpatrick owned c.1000 acres of land in the vicinity of present-day Skerries and counted a watermill among their possessions. A lease of 1578 tells us that one windmill had already been built on Chanon or Shallock Hill by the last quarter of the 16th century.
The second windmill, known as The Great Windmill of Skerries was probably built towards the end of the 18th century when the former had fallen into disrepair. Stormy weather in the mid- 1840′s badly damaged this mill but it was rebuilt in a five-sail version and became a popular symbol in holiday posters for Skerries.
The windmills are certainly worth a visit, with guided tours through the mills. Thanks again to Peter and everyone who came out on a cold day for a really interesting visit.
absolute genius jennifer,
I had said on the blog that it’s amazing what the different eye picks up.
i don’t even think I saw the second image. Nor the one of Anthony taking his pic. Which I saw the end result of on his blog.
brilliant and genius
peter
Wow these are really stunning!
I just found this post through twitter…I’m off now to have browse through the rest of your site
Peter, thanks a million for the comments (and the day out!)
That second picture was taken at the reception area, it’s the big oven that was glowing orange inside – looks a bit different in black and white.
Thanks Ruth for visiting and commenting, much appreciated.
Wow, great shots Jennifer!
Nice colour treatment too, suits the subject.
Really love the composition on that last one – very graphic
Thanks Dave!
Beautiful images – the first and last ones in particular!
Just stumbled upon your blog.
Love the shots especially the first image – stunning ! Wasnt aware there were windmills like that in Ireland, almost looks more like a typical dutch landscape. Thanks for sharing – now i’ll have to take a trip to skerries and see them.
Thanks Daire. Yeah it’s well worth a visit, very interesting history and good photo opportunities too.
really nice work! i love it when i stumble upon a really nice site by accident!
Thank you very much Bryan! Much appreciated.