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| PORTRUSH, CO. ANTRIM. -The native Irish called the above town by the Gaelic form of Port-ruis, meaning "the landing place of the peninsula"-a most appropriate designation, as, indeed, most Irish phrases of description are. it is a delightful little place, of, perhaps, 1,200 inhabitants, and is situated in one of the choicest spots on the Antrim coast, three miles, or thereabout, from the Castle of Dunluce, from which it is approached by a fine road, passing by the White Rocks, at an elevation of some four hundred feet above the sea. This is considered the finest sea-view in Ireland, excepting Glergariff and portions of Conremara. The town stands on a bold, rocky peninsula, of basaltic formation, about a mile in length. The harbor, pretty but not very extensive, is protected from the fury of ocean storms by the island group of the Skerries, at no great distance from the shore. It is much used by yachtsmen for regatta purposes, in the summer season, when Portrush is generally thronged with tourists and other pleasure seekers. The numerous magnificent natural sights in the neighborhood, including curious rock scenery and numerous ocean caverns, each one of which has some fearful legend connected with it, add to the popularity of the place. In 1859, an obelisk of considerable size was erected here to the memory of the Rev. Dr. Adam Clarke, a noted Methodist clergyman, who was born in the vicinity. |
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