Tullylish Watch Houses

The Follies Trust has been working with Banbridge Council on this project to ensure future generations can enjoy an aspect of our industrial heritage. The manufacture of linen was once Ireland’s greatest industry and the Bann Valley was one of its main hubs. When linen was spread out on the greens to bleach it required protection from theft and stray animals. In Tullylish there were once 7 watch houses in the fields for the watchmen who guarded the linen. Now there are only two left and with funding from NI Environment Agency and ENTRUST the Follies Trust preserved them. Additional information can be found here.

The watch houses before…

…and after…

On 25 March a lot of people assembled in the Pot Belly, Gilford, Co Down to celebrate the completion of the conservation of the Tullylish watch houses. photo-3 copyThe Chairman of Banbridge District Council, Councillor Olive Mercer, and Councillors attended as well as local historians, the son of a Tullylish bleach green watchman and Friends of the Follies Trust.

Primrose Wilson, Chairman of the Follies Trust, thanked the funders – Ulster Wildlife, NI Environment Agency, Banbridge Council and the landowner for all their help with the project. Joe Furphy, Vice Chairman of Ulster Wildlife said they were very pleased to associated with this project which featured an important part of our Industrial Heritage. He spoke eloquently about the social impacts of the linen industry in the Bann valley.DSC_0009a

Councillor Olive Mercer officially launched the project and spoke of the importance of the linen heritage to Banbridge Council. The event was a celebration of the completion of the scheme and was much enjoyed by all present.