DRUMMAUL

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

"DRUMMAUL, a parish in the barony of Upper Toome, in the county of Antrim, province of Ulster, Ireland, containing Randalstown, its post town, which is situated on the Cookstown junction line of the Belfast and Northern Counties railway, and has an important weekly market. Drummaul lies on the N. shores of Lough Neagh. The surface, which is slightly hilly, has some bog, and is traversed by the river Maine and the road from Antrim to Tyrone. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Connor, value £336, in the patronage of the Marquis of Donegal. The church, at Randalstown, was built in 1832, on the site of a former one, by means of a loan from the late Board of First Fruits and a gift from Earl O'Neill, who also presented the organ. Near the church is the earl's family tomb. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to those of Antrim and Connor. Here are three Presbyterian meeting-houses, seven National schools, eight Sunday, and the Randalstown parochial school, under the Church Education Society, and supported by the proprietor, the Rev. W. O'Neill. The Earl of Antrim quartered his troops here in 1688. Shane's Castle was the ancient seat of the O'Neills; it is beautifully situated on the banks of Lough Neagh, but was destroyed by fire in 1816, and is now a mere ruin. A new residence has been built on another site. Coal and ironstone were procured, but the works are now abandoned. Linen weaving gives employment to many of the inhabitants. Near Shane's Castle is a fine specimen of basaltic columns, and there are numerous mineral springs in the parish. Here are ruins of the ancient church."

"RANDALSTOWN, a post and market town in the parish of Drummaul, barony of Upper Toome, county Antrim, province of Ulster, Ireland, 17 miles N.W. of Belfast, and 97 N. of Dublin. It is a station on the Cookstown branch of the Belfast and Northern Counties railway. It is situated on the bank of the river Main, which is here crossed by a bridge of 9 arches. The town contains the parish church, a Roman Catholic chapel, two Presbyterian meetinghouses, a dispensary, and a police station. The headquarters of the county militia are situated here. Petty sessions are held fortnightly. Spinning and calico weaving are carried on to a small extent. This town was formerly a parliamentary borough, returning two members before the Union. The Earl of Antrim's troops had their quarters here during the revolution, and in 1798 the rebels committed great havoc in the town. Wednesday is market day. Fairs are held on 16th July, and 1st November."

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