BALLYAGHRAN

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

"BALLYAGHRAN, (or Agherton), a parish in the liberty of Coleraine, in the county of Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland, 3 miles to the N.W. of Coleraine. It is situated on the river Bann, near the coast of the Atlantic, and includes the promontory between the river and the ocean, with the watering-place of Port-Stewart. Nearly the whole surface is under tillage, and fertile; a small part forms a rabbit-warren, and the rest is pasture land. Trap-rock and basalt lie beneath, and some iron ore and coal have been found. The linen manufacture gives employment to a few of the inhabitants, and many hands are engaged in the Bann salmon fishery. By this river Lough Neagh discharges itself into the Atlantic. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Down, Connor, and Dromore, value £399, in the patronage of the bishop. J. Cromie, Esq., the principal proprietor, and lord of the manor, resides at Cromore, a fine seat, with extensive plantations. There are several other seats. The early years of Dr. Adam Clarke were spent in this parish, and he frequently revisited it in his latter years. A dial is preserved which he erected in the grounds of Mr. Cromie. Here are ruins of a castle, and of the old church, and several caves.

"PORTDIANA, a village in the parish of Ballyaghran, within the liberty of Coleraine, county Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland, near Coleraine."

"PORTSTEWART, a post-office village in the parish of Ballyaghran, within the liberties of Coleraine, county Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland, 4 miles N.N.W. of Coleraine. It is a station on the Belfast and Northern Counties railway. It is situated at the mouth of the river Bann, and is a bathing-place and fishing station. The parish church is situated in the village."

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