ISLAND MAGEE

In 1868, the parish of Island Magee contained the following places:

"ISLAND MAGEE, a parish and seat of a post-office in the barony of Lower Belfast, county Antrim, province of Ulster, Ireland, 6 miles N.E. of Carrickfergus. It consists of a peninsula 7 miles long by 1½ mile broad, extending between Lough Larne and the North Sea, with Muck Island lying a short distance off the coast. The soil is generally good. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Connor, value £300, in the patronage of the crown. The church, rebuilt in 1827, occupies the site of an ancient structure. There are two Presbyterian meeting-houses, five schools under the National board, and several private day schools. The ruins of Castle Chichester form an attractive feature in the landscape. In 1315 Edward Bruce landed here. In 1642 many of the Roman Catholic occupants were massacred by a party of Scotch soldiers. In this parish is the cave which afforded a hiding place for Hill from the pursuit of the MacDonells. The manufacture of linen, and fishing, employ the chief part of the inhabitants. Portmuck and Blackhead are coastguard stations. The Goblin cliffs, which rise to the height of 200 feet, are of basaltic formation, and extend nearly 2 miles along the coast. The caves in these rocks, now the retreat of numerous sea-fowl, were formerly the fastnesses of smugglers. Near the end of the peninsula are a cromlech and a large rocking-stone. Limestone is abundant, and red ochre and gypsum are met with."

 

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