EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837
It is situated at the north-western extremity of the county, on a peninsula of basalt jutting a mile into the sea towards the Skerries, having on the west a small but deep bay.
According to the early annalists, this was the chief landing-place in the territory of The Route or McQuillan's Country; it was also chosen by Sir John Perrot as the landing-place of his artillery at the siege of Dunluce Castle.
On the plantation of Ulster by JAMES I, it was made a creek to Coleraine, but it latterly has absorbed all its trade, as the accumulation of sand on the bar of the latter port has rendered it very dangerous.
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| Seal of the Portrush Harbour Company |
A large artificial harbour has been finished at Portrush, the entrance to which is 27 feet deep at low water, which has not only secured to it this advantage but has considerably increased its trade.
The number of vessels now trading hither is 120; the principal trade is with Liverpool, Whitehaven, The Clyde, and Campbelltown.
The chief imports are timber, coal, iron, barilla, and general merchandise; the exports, linen cloth, provisions, grain, livestock, poultry, eggs and salmon, the export of which last is very great during the season, which commences in May and ends in September.
The numbers of salmon taken off the shore have been much increased by an improved kind of net, but the principal supply is from the Bann and Bush rivers.
The grain shipped in 1834 exceeded 6000 tons; the butter, 8166 firkins.
Steam-boats ply weekly to Liverpool and Glasgow, and three times a week to Londonderry, Moville, and Inishowen.
The beauty of the town's situation, commanding an extensive and varied range of scenery, makes it a favourite place of resort for strangers, particularly during the bathing season.
It is a station for the constabulary police and for the coastguard.
A male and female school, founded by the Rev Dr Adam Clarke, and supported by the Irish Missionary Society, is kept in a large and handsome brick edifice with a cupola and bell.
A handsome hotel is now in progress.
Close to the town is a beautiful and extensive strand, and at its southern extremity is a range of cliffs of white limestone, in which are several extensive caves; near it are some hills formed wholly of sand drifted by the northern winds; some of these are of recent formation, as the rich vegetable soil, bearing evident marks of cultivation, can be traced beneath them.
After a violent storm in 1827, which swept away some of the sand, the remains of an ancient town were exposed to view, showing the foundations of the houses, in which were found domestic utensils, moose deer's horns, spear heads of brass, and other military weapons.
In the immediate neighbourhood is also a rock in which are embedded large and perfect specimens of the cornu ammonis: various other species of fossils are frequently discovered.
A new line of road from this place to Portstewart was made along the cliffs close to the shore, and a rail-road from it to Coleraine is in contemplation.
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