The mill wheel at Innisrush was powered by the waters of the Clady River.  This subsidiary ran into the River Bann, nearby, at Portglenone.

The first references to Innisrush flax mill in local newspapers, occurs in the 1850s.  The mill appears to have been operational until the mid 1900s.

Innisrush flax mill

Innisrush Flax Mill – with William George Courtenay – the owner – and employees

Innisrush Flax Mill

The mill was owned by the local magistrate, William George Courtenay.  He lived at nearby Glenburn House. 

In this early 1900s photo (some reports suggest 1920), his employees include several Moores, Alex Wallace, Annie Greenwood, who were all from Innisrush.  Kennedy Bradley and William McGall were from the nearby townland of Moneystaghan-Ellis.  There are three Clements in the photograph.  The Christian names are in doubt.  But at that time, there was a William J. Clements living in Innisrush, a Henry Clements in Tyanee, and a John Clements from Glenone.

The mill owner, William George Courtenay, died on the 24th June 1923.  The magistrate, along with many of his workers, is buried in the nearby Tamlaght O’Crilly Lower graveyard.  I have conducted considerable research on Mr Courtenay, and intend to devote a page to him, in the near future.  

Innisrush flax mill made the news on Friday 6th December 1946.  Despite the best efforts of the National Fire Service (NFS) from Magherafelt, who were quickly on the scene, the mill was destroyed.  The local newspaper applauded the efforts of the firemen, who “put in some strenous work, but the flames had too great a hold, and the mill premises were gutted.”  A large quantity of flax was also destroyed.  By this time, the mill at Innisrush was owned by Robert Kennedy.