Corbally Mills

Corbally Mills and Lax Weir showing the Free Gap built in 1865, known as the Queen's Gap and Caisleán na Corann (Castle of the Weir). 

CORBALLY MILLS AND PORTION OF THE LAX WEIR The fisherman in the boat is E.B. Place, son of J.H. Place, Manager of the Shannon Fishing Company Ltd., the man paddling the boat is Patsy McMahon from Ardnacrusha.

In its time Corbally Mill was one of the finest water mills in the Country. Wheat from the mill was transported via the river in the early stages from Custom House docks as there was no direct road link with Limerick.

DROWNED IN THE MILL STREAM. In May 1931, Josephine O’Brien, a school girl, age 12 years, was playing at the Mill Race, Corbally with her friend Mary Collins, aged 14 years. While playing by the water, she walked out onto a plank protruding over the Mill Race, she lost her balance and fell into the water,  her friend rushed for help, but it was too late when help arrived, her body was recovered by Mr. D. Ivers who was employed by the Lax Weir Fishing Company. The girls mother a widow, worked nearby in Corbally House.

Dear Mr. Lysaght,

I have read with the greatest interest - and no little nostalgia! - your "Short History" of the Abbeymen. 

Of special interest to me is the reproduction of the photo figure 11 as this portrays my eldest brother Capt. E. B. Place (peal fishing probably) on the "tail of Garrafh" (excuse phonetic spelling!) being paddled by one Patsy McMahon of Parteen, in a brocaun which was very much beamier than those normally used by the Shannon Fishing Co. - as it was then called - snap net men. The normal ones they used were much wider and more stable than those of the Abbey men.

This particular brocaun was specially built - probably by the late Mickey Farrell - for one of the Fishery "Star" net men on my fathers instructions as the net man mentioned (Frank Connors) was about 15 stone or possibly more and so generously proportioned that even a Corbally brocaun was deemed inadequate and unsafe to accomodate him !!

The photo and also figure 10 were I think taken by someone directly - or indirectly connected with my old home, Corbally House and appear to be reproductions of original photos.

Thanking you, I remain, Yours Sincerely, Hugh L.P. Place.

Alesha Ryan 08.11.2022 19:05

Hi Ann, would you have information on the Corbally nursing home for a school project? Thanks :)

CLAIRE OWEN 04.10.2021 10:29

Ann, would you have any info about the two storey mansion with dormer windows in the roof supposedly owned by the Bindons who built the original Corbally mill?

Jes 21.07.2019 15:35

Thank you Ann, could you tell me anything about the house and where it is / was situated. I may have been the first of my family to get this close

Jes 19.07.2019 17:11

I recently discovered that my ancestors, the Killeens, owed flour mills at the head of the Shannon River. Might you know where I might find out more information

elaine leonard 07.02.2017 13:29

love your website Anne there should have a gathering of all involved in the old abbey regetta limerick as those were the good old days back then

Deirdre McCarthy 16.01.2017 14:48

Hi Ann, Thanks for getting back to me so soon with a reply. Yes, I'm sure it had to be the same man. I didn't know he was a Major He had a mustache, I remember

Deirdre McCarthy 15.01.2017 15:46

My dad used to take us out for a stroll along the Red Path from one end to the other many a Sunday. There was a good friend of mine Mr. Wilson ( Boyd's on William St.) He lived on the other side of the path. He gave me a pair of binoculars that I treasure

Brian Carroll 07.12.2016 21:59

Hi
My name is Brian Carroll, editor of Limerick Life newspaper. I would like your/photographer's permission to use photo of Lax Weir. Could you email, thanks

Tommy Goggin 19.03.2016 10:11

I might be mistaken, but I seem to recall being told that the Mill was once owned, or managed, by the father of the actor Richard Harris. Can you confirm?

John Mcnamara 17.07.2015 22:13

Love that picture.

David 085-8559443 19.06.2015 17:15

Hello Anne,could the photo of the 2 men fishing be used with permission?
I would like to use for a sign in the community.Would be happy to discuss if possible