The Riordon family originated in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland. John Riordon arrived in Pokeshaw in 1830 to join his brother Patrick. In 1852, John sold part of his land to William Boultonhouse, who built a sawmill. The mill was later sold to Richard Dempsey, who married one of the Riordon daughters. This union was frowned upon, as Richard was Protestant, while his new wife was Catholic. However, the Riordons took possession of the mill following this union.

The mill burned down in 1888 and was rebuilt with the encouragement, among others, of Reverend Romain Doucet of the Grande-Anse parish. Once rebuilt, the building included a sawmill, flour mill and wool carding mill, all powered by water.

However, during reconstruction, a dispute arose between Thomas Riordon and a company, and Mr. Riordon refused to pay for the company’s mistakes. In 1914, when the grist rollers needed repair, the same company sent the unpaid bill from the 1890s, and Thomas refused to collect his rollers and pay the bill. The flour mill closed its doors for good.

• Gabled roof with central vent
• Large rear dormer window
• Cornices with low cornice returns
• Large entrance door with access ramp
• Original water turbine
• Three mills with double pair of cylinders
• Grain cleaner
• Plansichter, exhaust air purifier and sieving machine
• Bucket elevator and conveyor system
• Wooden hoppers or funnels
• Wool carding mill
• Wool combing machine