Northern Ireland's last linen beetling mill saved by investment, preserving a 150-year-old craft vital to luxury fashion.

The world’s last commercial linen beetling mill, in Upperlands, Northern Ireland, remains operational thanks to a recent investment that saved it from closure. William Smyth, 59, is believed to be the only linen beetler left, using a 150-year-old water-powered machine with heavy hammers to transform stiff linen into a durable, lustrous fabric over up to 140 hours. The process, unchanged since the 19th century, is vital for high-end fashion, with designers like Alexander McQueen and Savile Row tailors valuing the fabric’s strength in garment seams. Once widespread, the Irish linen industry declined due to synthetics, but renewed demand for sustainable, heritage textiles—especially from Japan and luxury brands—has sparked hope for revival. The mill, part of William Clark & Sons founded in 1736, aims to train an apprentice to preserve this rare craft, symbolizing resilience in a modern era.