Calls for Newmills Corn and Flax Mills to reopen

Strong calls have been made for the reopening of the Newmills Corn and Flax Mills.

The amenity was not opened to the public at all in 2022.

The matter was discussed at this month’s meeting of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District.

Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh proposed that Donegal County Council liaise with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to ensure that the facility is ‘fully functional and properly staffed for the tourist season in 2023’.

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“It is an important part of the social history off the area,” Councillor Kavanagh said.

“Last year, it didn’t open at all. The Minister visited on February 16 last year and he made it clear that the only way we could see works progress and new developments take place was if numbers up.

“We can’t get numbers up if the place is closed.”

Councillor Kavanagh referenced a local media report from 2022 saying that Newmills Corn and Flax Mills would reopen ‘next year’.

“It is now ‘next year’,” he said. “We need to make sure that that commitment is held.

“We aren’t getting any benefit from an excellent facility. We shouldn’t be writing to ask them what the plans are; we should be writing telling them to honour their commitment.

“The way we will progress it its by having it opened fully, getting guides in place and making the best of it.”

Councillor Kavanagh said the opening times should be extended to cover the period from October to May to allow schools have better usage.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Michael McBride who said the facility was a ‘great asset’ that could be tied into other amenities nearby, such as Glebe Gallery and Glenveagh National Park.