DERVOCK,
a post-town, in that part of the parish of DERRYKEIGHAN
which is in the barony of LOWER DUNLUCE, county of ANTRIM,
and province of ULSTER, 10 miles (E.N.E.) from Coleraine (County
Londonderry); and 123 (N. by W.) from Dublin, on the turnpike road from
Ballycastle to Ballymoney;
containing 362 inhabitants. This is a neat and well-built town, consisting
of two streets, one on each side of the river Bush, and containing about
65 houses.
It belongs
entirely to G. Macartney, Esq., and has been greatly improved
of late years. While in the possession of the late Lord Macartney, great
encouragement was afforded to the linen manufacturers to settle here.
There are some extensive corn and flour-mills on the banks of the river.
Fairs are held for cattle and sheep, but chiefly for horses, on Jan.
l2th, Feb. 23rd, May 14th, June 22nd, Ang 12th, and Oct. 29th.
A constabulary
police force has been stationed here. The parish church, a handsome
structure, is situated close to the town; as is also an R. C. chapel
dependent on that of Ballymoney, and the Presbyterian meeting-house
of the Synod of Ulster, which is a large building.
A very
handsome school-house was erected by G. Macartney, Esq., in 1829, and
given by that gentleman for a parochial school; attached to it is a
girls' school, established in 1832, and principally supported by Mrs.
Macartney.
