MACOSQUIN

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

"MACOSQUIN, (or Camus-juxta-Bann), a parish and post-office village in the barony of Coleraine, county Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland, 2 miles S.W. of Coleraine. The parish is 6 miles long by 4 broad. The surface consists of a mountainous and a flat district, both lying along the western bank of the river Bann. The soil is middling. The interior is traversed by the roads from Coleraine to Kilrea, Garvagh, and Dungiven. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Derry, value £650, in the patronage of the bishop. The church, which is part of the former abbey church, is a commodious building. It was repaired in 1826. Here are likewise two Presbyterian meetinghouses and a Covenanters'. There are several Sunday and daily schools in the parish. Numerous seats are dotted over the landscape. The name of the parish originated from a monastery which was founded at Camus in 680 by St. Comgal. The last vestiges of the monastery were removed to form a wall around the burial-ground of the parish; an old cross and font are yet preserved. A Cistercian monastery was also founded here in 1172 by the O'Cahans, called the Abbey of St. Mary de Fontana. This parish belongs principally to the Richardson family, of Somerset, who purchased it from the Merchant Taylors' Company. Here are remains of several ancient fortifications, besides some curious artificial caves. Salmon are in plenty. Two or three powerful medicinal springs occur within the limits. Iron, slate, and basalt exist, but are not worked.

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