HOLMPATRICK

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

"HOLMPATRICK, a parish in the barony of East Balrothery, county Dublin, province of Leinster, Ireland, contains Skerries its post town. It is 4 miles long by 3 broad. The parish is situated on the coast, and has several outlying islands known as the Skerries, besides St. Patrick's, Shenick's, Red, and Colt islands. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Dublin. The church was built in 1719. There are two Roman Catholic chapels, a National, and two or three other schools in this parish. Hacketstown is the seat of J. H. Hamilton, Esq., M.P., who is lord of the manor. An abbey is said to have been founded on St. Patrick's Island, by M'Murchard, in the 9th century, which in 1228 was removed to the mainland, and gave name to the parish. This abbey was granted, in the reign of Elizabeth, to Sir Thomas Fitzwilliam. Its ruins are observed near the town of Skerries. Limestone, granite, slate, and greenstone enter into the rock formation of this locality."

"SKERRIES, a small seaport and post town in the parish of Holmpatrick, barony of Balrothery, county Dublin, province of Leinster, Ireland, 22 miles N.E. of Dublin. It is a station on the Dublin and Drogheda railway. It is situated on the E. coast on a projecting neck of land near the islands of its name. It has a harbour and pier, and contains the parish church, a Roman Catholic chapel, parochial and National schools, dispensary, police and coastguard stations. There is an excellent beach for bathing. Fairs are held on 28th April and 10th August."

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