The purpose of the project is to use the water wheel to generate electricity for a restaurant located on the historic site.

After being abandoned for many years, the Tully Mill wheel has finally been completely restored, complete with a generator installed. Originally a part of the Florence Court demesne, the 18th-century corn mill was saved from abandonment in 1998 and transformed into a restaurant.

John Roche, the restaurant's chef, has a special connection to Florence Court because he lived on the top floor of the Georgian house.


In 2012 and 2017, respectively, Mr. Roche assumed the National Trust catering contract for Florence Court and the nearby Castle Coole, as well as for the Marble Arch Caves. In the former corn mill owned by Florence Court, he operates the Tully Mill restaurant.

Before the Killesher Community Development Association was awarded funds to renovate the property and establish five self-catering vacation cottages and a community centre, the structure had been abandoned for many years.

In order to rebuild the mill's original wheel, the association also obtained financing from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The wheel started turning again this month, producing power for the restaurant's exterior lighting.