LECKPATRICK

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

"LECKPATRICK, a parish in the barony of Lower Strabane, county Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, containing the village of Ballymagorry and part of its post town Strabane. It is 5½ miles long by 2½ broad. The river Foyle and the Strabane canal pass along the W. side of the parish. The surface is hilly, but the soil generally good. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Derry, value £727, in the patronage of the bishop. The church was built in 1817 by aid of a loan from the late Board of First Fruits. There are two Roman Catholic chapels, five Sunday, and several daily schools, also a Presbyterian meeting-house. Green Lodge, Farmhill, and Hollyhill, are the principal residences."

"BALLYMAGORRY, a village in the parish of Leckpatrick and the barony of Strabane, in the county of Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, 3 miles from Strabane. It is situated near the river Fin."

"STRABANE, a post and market town in the parishes of Leckpatrick, Urney, and Camus-juxta-Morne, barony of Strabane, county Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, 18 miles N.N.W. of Omagh, and 129 from Dublin. It is a station on the Irish North-Western railway. This town is situated on the river Mourne, which here joins the Finn and Strabane canal, and at Lifford assumes the name of the Foyle river. It consists of ten principal streets and several smaller ones. It is lighted with gas, and has recently been much improved. The river is crossed by a bridge, which has been enlarged since its erection. The church of Camus parish is now a commodious building, in the Grecian style. There are also a Roman Catholic chapel, two Methodist meeting-houses, and several good public schools. Other charitable institutions are a dispensary, fever hospital, and poorhouse. Here is also the Derry and Raphoe Deaf and Dumb School, supported by voluntary contributions. It has a chief police station, and general and petty sessions are held. There are two branch banks and a savings-bank. Strabane was formerly a parliamentary borough, under charter of James I., returning two members before the Union. It was granted to the Earl of Abercorn in 1611, who founded the castle, and to whose family the town gives title of baron and viscount. The linen trade formerly flourished, but has now given place to an extensive general traffic. The government is vested in a body of commissioners. Milltown and Hollyhill are the neighbouring seats. Tuesday is market day. Fairs are held on the first Thursday in each month, the 12th May and November (old style). The Strabane Poor-law Union lies within the counties of Tyrone and Donegal, and contains 24 electoral divisions. The poorhouse has room for 960 persons. Strabane gives name to a presbytery, comprising Ardstraw, Ballyhennon, Clady, Donemana, Douglass, Glenelly, Newton Stewart, Strabane, and Urney."

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