Islandmagee

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

ISLANDMAGEE, a parish, in the barony of Lower Belfast, County Antrim; six miles from Carrickfergus.

Edward Bruce landed on this peninsula in 1315; and Sir Moyses Hill, ancestor of the Marquess of Downshire, took refuge in a cave here when pursued by the MacDonnells, who had slain Sir John Chichester.

In 1642, all the Roman Catholic inhabitants were killed by some Scottish soldiers under Monro, on their march to Carrickfergus.

The parish forms a peninsula between Larne Lough and the North Sea, and the Isle of Muck lies near the coast.

According to the Ordnance Survey it comprises 7036½ statute acres of excellent land in a high state of cultivation, which produces wheat and beans of the finest quality.

Coal is supposed to exist, and basalt used for building and for repairing the roads is abundant.

Spinning and the weaving of linen cloth and calico are carried on in various parts of the parish, and some of the inhabitants are employed in fishing.

There is a pier at Portmuck, from which much limestone is shipped.

There are coastguard stations at Portmuck and Blackhead, which are included in the district of Carrickfergus.

A court is held by the seneschal of the Marquess of Donegall, for the recovery of debts and the determination of pleas to the amount of £20.

It is a rectory, in the diocese of Connor, forming part of the union of Carrickfergus.

St John's Church, Islandmagee (R French/NLI)

The church, a small edifice, rebuilt in 1827, on the foundations of an ancient and more extensive structure, is close to the margin of Larne Lough.

There are two places of worship for Presbyterians.

About 270 children are educated in ten private schools.

The Rocking Stone, Islandmagee (Green collection/ NMNI)

Near Brown's Bay is a rocking stone, weighing about 12 tons; and at Ballylumford are the remains of a cromlech or Druids' altar; there are also the remains of two ancient churches.

In the cliffs called The Gobbins are seven caves, into which the tide flows: they are a little above low-water mark, under a basaltic rock, 210 feet high, intersected by layers of ochreous basalt, about an inch thick, and of a deep vermillion colour.

Near the entrance to the peninsula are the remains of Castle Chichester, occupying a beautiful situation on a bold shore.

A spring of pure but weak saline water rises near Red Hill.

The ancient rent of this peninsula was two goshawks and a pair of gloves.