Plantation Papers; Containing a Summary Sketch of the Great Ulster Plantation in the Year 1610

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1889. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... COUNTY OF LONDONDERRY. i. The present County of Londonderry is a somewhat curious specimen of territorial patchwork, the several fragments of which in is formed being arbitrarily regarded as one, although nature had put some of them distinctly asunder by the intervention of two large rivers. The first and largest fragment once formed a portion of the ancient principality of Ulster, but, being shired off by the English in 1585, it was afterwards known for about: a quarter of a cen . tury as the County of Coleraine. To this fragment was added another in 1609, which also had been taken from the old principality, and was known as Loughinsholin. Another fragment was added at the same date from the County of Donegal, on the western side of the Foyle; and still another from the County of Antrim, on the eastern side of the Bann. The County of Coleraine was divided into the three small baronies of Coleraine, Limavady, and Anagh, now known as the baronies of Coleraine, Keenaght, and Tirkeeran. The barony of Loughinsholin, subsequently added to the three others above-named, was anciently so-called from Longh-lnis O'Lyon, the island of O'Lynn's lake-dwelling--a well-known position near the village of Desert Lynn, now Deeertmartln. This barony of Loughinsholin included the two sub-divisions of Glenconkeyn and Eilletragh, memorable for their wealth of ancient forests. The fragments taken from the counties of Donegal and Antrim became what are since known as the Liberties of Deny and Coleraine. The old County of Coleraine, although Originally constituting an important part of the O'Neill principality, was recognised from an early date as peculiarly the country of the Ui Oabhaio, or CVCahani. This great tribe was a kindred family or race of the O'Neills, and were descended in c...