Wheel for rotating the cap

Tacumshane Windmill

The Norman Way is a heritage trail running along the south Wexford coast, from Lady's Island to New Ross. New building techniques introduced by the Normans changed the Irish landscape for ever. Over 60 medieval tower houses still survive in County Wexford. Another structure introduced to Ireland by the Normans was the vertical tower windmill. The flat and windy landscape of Wexford was an ideal location. The thatched windmill at Tacumshane/Tacumshin, built in 1846, is a reminder of norman influence on our food production. A rare feature was the revolving thatched cap, which the miller could rotate to catch the wind for the sails. This windmill was in operation, on and off, up until 1936. From that time until 1961 it was operated by a diesel engine. the mill was operated by

Machinery

Millstone