DRUMACHOSE

In 1868, the parish of Drumachose contained the following places:

"DRUMACHOSE, a parish in the barony of Keenaght, in the county of Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland. It is situated on the river Roe, near Lough Foyle, and contains Newtownlimavaddy, its post town. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Derry, value £442, in the patronage of the bishop. The church, situated at Newtown, is a handsome structure rebuilt in 1750. It was enlarged in 1822 by means of a loan from the late Board of First Fruits. Here are two Roman Catholic chapels, united to those of Balteagh and Tamlaghfinlagan, two Presbyterian, a Methodist, Covenanters', Remonstrants', and Original Burgher meeting-houses, four Sunday, and fourteen day schools. The surrounding scenery is very beautiful. The greater part of this parish was granted by James I. to the Haberdashers' Company, and part to Sir T. Philips, who founded a castle here, and the town of Newtownlimavaddy. It suffered much by war in 1641, and again in 1686. The chief residences are Fruit Hill, Roe Park, Streeve Hill, and Bridge House. There are two bleach-greens, distilleries, and breweries. Many of the inhabitants are engaged in weaving. Good building-stone is procured in large quantities. There are interesting church ruins near Fruit Hill, and the O'Cahans had a castle here."

"BACK, a hamlet in the parish of Drumachose, county Londonderry, Ulster, Ireland. Its post town is Newtown-Limavady."

"NEWTOWNLIMAVADY, a post and market town in the parish of Drumachose, barony of Keenaght, county Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland, 16 miles E.N.E. of Londonderry, and 142 from Dublin. It is a station on the Belfast and Northern counties railway. It is situated in the sheltered valley of the river Roe, near Lough Foyle, and consists of four principal and several subordinate thoroughfares. It contains two market places, a goodhotel, sessions house, two branch banks, a savings-bank, barracks, reading-rooms, police station, a union poorhouse, dispensary, and a distillery. The parish church stands in the town. There are also a Roman Catholic chapel, a Presbyterian, and two other meeting-houses. A bridge of six arches crosses the river. General sessions are held twice a year, petty sessions once a fortnight. The site of the town is near that of a castle of the ancient O'Cahans, called Limavaddy, or "dog's leap." The town was sometime held by Sir T. Philips, who forfeited it in 1608. It was attacked by Con O'Nial in 1641, and twice destroyed by fire between that period and 1688. It was chartered in the time of James I., and returned two members to the Irish parliament until the Union, when it was disfranchised. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday are market days. Fairs are held on the second Monday in February, 28th March, 13th June, 12th July, and 29th October."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018