Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills

Historic Building in Cork

Gunpowder Mills, Ballincollig
CC BY-SA 4.0 / The Speckled Bird

The Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills in Cork were among three Royal gunpowder mills that produced gunpowder for the British government. Established as a private enterprise in 1794 by Charles Henry Leslie and John Travers, the mills were strategically located in Ballincollig due to its relative remoteness and proximity to Cork city’s port, facilitating the import of raw materials needed for gunpowder production.

During the Napoleonic Wars, the British government took over the mills to secure a monopoly on gunpowder production in Ireland. The site was significantly expanded, with the addition of twelve new mills, processing buildings, and housing for workers and officials. To enhance security, a barracks was constructed, and military escorts were arranged for the transport of powder to Cork Harbour. The site, encompassing 435 acres, was enclosed by a high limestone wall.

After the Napoleonic Wars, the demand for gunpowder decreased, leading to the mills’ closure in 1815. The wooden parts of the manufactory were dismantled, and the machinery was maintained. Some equipment was auctioned off in 1831, and many buildings fell into disrepair.

In the mid-19th century, the mills briefly returned to private ownership before closing permanently in 1903. In the late 20th century, Cork County Council purchased the mill grounds, developed a public park, and opened a visitor center. Although the visitor center closed in 2002, many of the mill buildings remain accessible within the public park.

The Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Cork!

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Visiting Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills

Address: Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
Duration: 20 minutes

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