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04 Nov 2025

Beautiful restoration of historic gate in Leitrim village reaches completion

"The use of the small grants from the Heritage Council administered by the Department of Agriculture Food, Forestry and Marine has proved invaluable in preserving and securing items of interest which in the past were an integral part of every day life for those involved in agriculture and food production."

Beautiful restoration of historic gate in Leitrim village reaches completion

The project is an important one from a heritage point of view and attracts many visitors including students of times past," Cllr Paddy O'Rourke told the Leitrim Observer. 

Reporter:

Claire Corrigan

04 Nov 2025 1:00 PM

A Carrigallen man has beautifully restored a sluice gate on his Drumcannon farm after completing phase 2 of the project. 
Pat McCaughey of Drumcannon Carrigallen, completed restoration of the original sluice gate which controlled the flow of water to Green's Cornmill downstream at his farm.
A sluice gate is a movable gate that controls the flow of water, often used to manage water levels and prevent flooding in rivers, canals and dams. It works by sliding or rotating to open or close a passage, allowing or restricting liquid flow. 
Mr McCaughey carried out the project with grant assistance from the Heritage Council under a scheme administered by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. 
Mr McCaughey's farm is home to a Bluefaced Leicester sheep flock "which have gone from strength to strength in recent years. The project is an important one from a heritage point of view and attracts many visitors including students of times past," Cllr Paddy O'Rourke told the Leitrim Observer. 
Cllr O'Rourke said: "The sluice gate project brings back to life the control of water flow to Green's mill which was a necessity to turn the large mill wheel which in turn drove the mill stones to grind the corn (predominately oats )in order to turn the raw corn into flour to make bread and also provide animal and foul feeding."
He continued: "The mill was a very integral part of each district's necessary infrastructure and provided farmers with a very important social outlet when attending the mill to have their corn ground. Thankfully the mill is still in good condition and also attracts many visitors and students by kind permission of the owners."
READ MORE: 'I think the Taoiseach is being disingenuous' about staying the course - Leitrim councillor
Cllr O'Rourke said that Mr McCaughey's flock of Bluefaced Leicester sheep known as the 'Millrace Flock' are also a draw to the farm. "They themselves are enjoying considerable success with farmers from all over the country seeking breeding sheep from the flock to improve their own flocks keeps and are keeping a watchful eye on all developments."
He concluded: "The use of the small grants from the Heritage Council administered by the Department of Agriculture Food, Forestry and Marine has proved invaluable in preserving and securing items of interest which in the past were an integral part of every day life for those involved in agriculture and food production."

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