Bessbrook 2000

Page Two



Most of the houses provided for the mill workers did not have bathrooms. The Spinning Company provided this bath house for the use of its workers. At one time the building also housed a dispensary.



Some of the buildings in the farmyard may date from the 18th century. The Spinning Company had extensive lands outside the village and kept a large dairy herd. The former milking parlour is now a furniture showroom.



The Farmyard



Thomas Street is the only remaining "back street". It was built in the 1870s. The other back streets, James Street and Frederick Street were demolished in the 1960s



Maytown Road marks the eastern edge of the village. It leads past Boiler Hill and College Square to Fountain Street. It is now known as Main Street.



Part of Fountain Street existed before the Richardsons came to Bessbrook although this row was probably not built until the 1850s.



Fountain Street and the two squares were called the "front streets".



The Hotel Corner at the junction of Fountain Street and Charlemont Square East. The Temperance Hotel was used mainly by visiting sales reps and as temporary accommodation for newly arrived mill managerial staff.



The larger houses at the top of Fountain Street led past Wakefield Terrace to Lee Place.



The original fountain at the top of the street was demolished in the early 1970s. A public convenience was built on the site. Due to vandalism this lasted less than ten years. The new fountain now occupies the site. However it is a non-functioning ornamental object. At least one of the spouts comes from the original fountain. The other are clever copies.

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