A water-powered twisting mill was builtat the outskirts of Lisburn in 1898 – by which time it boasted around 30000 spindles and 8000 twisting machines!
It became the largest mill of its kind in the world and by the start of World War 1 employed around 2000 workers who made linen thread used to stitch uniforms, boots and… parachutes.
By 2000’s, the workforce dropped to just around 80 and the mill finally closed it’s doors in February 2006. Recently purchased for development, but so far, the only work done there is just a new sign.
