Sion Mills village, recognised internationally for its world class linen production, could become one of the leading tourist attractions in Ireland, according to a local Preservation Trust.
“Industrial Heritage tourism is hugely popular in Britain, but unexploited here. Two mill village counterparts of Sion Mills, New Lanark in Scotland and Saltaire in Yorkshire, both of which were derelict and have been regenerated, were designated Wor
ld Heritage sites in 2001. Sion Mills shares most of the characteristics of both,” said Celia Ferguson, of Sion Mills Heritage Trust.
Mrs Ferguson (nee Herdman) last night returned from a day-long trip to New Lanark in Scotland along with 20 local representatives to meet with the team that achieved World Heritage status there.
“There were striking similarities in the social history aspects, largely due to an enlightened management approach pioneered in the late 18th century in New Lanark by Robert Owen,” Ms Ferguson said.
Sion Mills was founded by the Herdman family in 1835 and followed Robert Owen’s principles on housing, recreation and education for their employees in the linen mill and their families. Saltaire Village was built later, again with many similarities, and it is likely that Sion Mills provided the blueprint for the famous Salts Mill, which attracts 500,000 visitors a year.
Mrs Ferguson, Director of Sion Mills Buildings Preservation Trust said: “It is very encouraging that we have received so much support for this visit. I have visited New Lanark on several occasions, and the associated tourism and economic benefits its regeneration and World Heritage status have brought to the region are considerable.
“Sion Mills has everything New Lanark has, as well as the most important architecturally of the surviving large linen mills in Northern Ireland, with over 40 listed buildings in the village. We have started the regeneration process here, not only to restore the industrial and social heritage, but also to provide much needed employment.
“This trip has helped to capture the hearts and minds of the local representatives who travelled with us and this will enable us to drive the project forward, so that we too can aspire to World Heritage status in the future,” she said.
The full article contains 371 words and appears in Journal Tuesday County Edit newspaper.
