Ahascragh Distillery
Water Wheel
Completed in May 2024, this exceptional water wheel restoration project was commissioned by Ahascragh Distillers Co. Galway, in collaboration with Brendan O’Donnell Design. The focus was on reviving the 200-year-old water wheel which once powered a bustling flour mill on the site.
The water wheel, an essential element of the mill, had deteriorated and ceased functioning 60 years ago. In 2018, a visionary couple purchased the neglected mill, transforming it into Ireland’s first zero-emissions distillery. They approached us with the goal of restoring the water wheel to its former splendor.
Our workshop in West Waterford became the hub of a meticulous restoration process. We salvaged and restored as many original components as possible, reinstated the native spokes, and recreated elements that had succumbed to time. This comprehensive restoration involved careful recovery, detailed restoration, thoughtful redesign, and precise reinstallation of this extraordinary piece of Irish industrial heritage.
Working on this project was a true privilege. Throughout the restoration, I often thought about the original creators of this engineering marvel. I marveled at their methods for transporting, forging, casting, and installing such enormous pieces with the limited technology of their time. Their ingenuity and craftsmanship continue to inspire.
At Billy Moore Metal Works, we take immense pride in adding a new chapter to the life of this 200-year-old water wheel. It now stands proudly in its rightful place, a testament to industrial heritage and sustainable innovation, ready to inspire and be admired by future generations.
