Descriptive Gazetteer Entry for Portpatrick

Portpatrick, par. and seaport vil. with ry. sta., W. Wigtownshire - par., 9094 ac., pop. 1285; vil., 7½ miles SW. of Stranraer and 21½ NE. of Donaghadee (in Ireland), pop. 591; P.O., T.O.; is well sheltered by lofty cliffs, has a south-westerly exposure, and is resorted to as a watering-place. Portpatrick, as commanding the shortest communication from Britain to Ireland, was formerly of much greater importance. The mail across the channel, established in 1662, ceased to run in 1849; while the massive harbour works, constructed (1821-1843) at a cost of £500,000, have lapsed into a state of utter ruin. Portpatrick derives its name from St Patrick, who, according to the legend, crossed from this place to Ireland.


(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))

Linked entities:
Feature Description: "parish and seaport village"   (ADL Feature Type: "populated places")
Administrative units: Portpatrick ScoP       Wigtownshire ScoCnty
Place: Portpatrick

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