VIDEO: Take a look inside the derelict Blackwater Mill in the heart of Navan
Following on from our recent report on the plans for development along Navan’s Blackwater riverbank, which could see a 186-bedroom care centre and 40 apartments built on the site of the derelict Elliot’s Mill we decided to look at it's larger neighbour - the old Spicers Mill.
Blackwater Mill was a six-storey water mill on the River Blackwater was built towards the end of the 18th century, a time when Navan was a prosperous trading centre.
A plaque on its wall dates it to 1783, and names Conolly, Clarke and Fay as its owners. These men were a Dublin merchant James Conolly, a Dublin brewer William Clarke, and John Fay, a Navan man.
Hidden away from the public and really only visible from the Blackwater Park side of the town this hidden gem steeped in history is in private ownership and it's hoped the listed building will be earmarked for development and restoration.
We took Cllr Tommy Reilly, mayor of Navan who worked for the Spicer family for over 30 years to look around this hidden gem in the heart of Navan.