The Ordnance Survey Memoirs are a uniquely detailed source for the history of the northern half of Ireland immediately before the Great Famine. They were written in the 1830s to accompany the 6" Ordnance Survey maps, but with one exception were not published at the time. In this new edition they act as a nineteenth-century Domesday book and are essential to the understanding of the cultural heritage of our communities. The Memoirs document the landscape and situation, buildings and antiquities, land-holdings and population, employment and livelihood of the parishes.
This volume contains the Memoirs for 13 parishes in Lower Lough Erne and describes the towns of Ballinamallard, Belleek, Derrygonnelly, Ederny, Garrison, Irvinestown, Kesh and Lisbellaw, with their surrounding areas and islands, many with antiquities and ancient eccesiastical foundations. The material paints a fascinating picture of the rural economy on land and lough, documenting the farming and fishing communities, and the different cultural traditions prevailing. We are provided with a unique insight into life in this area over 150 years ago.