Coleraine (barony)


Coleraine is a barony in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It connects to the north-Londonderry coastline, and is bordered by five other baronies: Keenaght to the west; Loughinsholin to the south; North East Liberties of Coleraine, Dunluce Upper, and the Kilconway to the east. Before its creation it was once a territory known as "Firnacreeve".
The largest settlement in the barony is the town of Coleraine, which also crosses into the North East Liberties of Coleraine.

History

Before its creation, the barony of Coleraine was a region known as Firnacreeve, or simply "the Creeve", a territory ruled at an early date by the Airgiallan people of Fir na Craoibhe. At some point another Airgillian people known as the Fir Li came to dominance in the region between the River Moyola and the Camus, covering over half the territory of Firnacreeve. The Fir Li would eventually fall under the domination of the Cenél nEóghain by the 9th century, with many being driven east across the River Bann.
The Cenél mBinnigh and later Clan Conchobhair, both of the Cenél nEóghain migrated to the Creeve. By the beginning of the 12th century the Ó Catháin, a sept of the Cenél nEóghain, had risen to dominance over the territories of Keenaght and the Creeve by subjegating the Ó Conchobhair and the Fir na Craoibhe. Along with the territory of Tirkeeran; Keenaght and Firnacreeve would form the basis of Tircahan or Cathanaght both signifying "O'Cahans Country" and later County Coleraine.

From Fir na Craoibhe to Coleraine

When the baronies of Ulster were being created by the English around 1585, the general manner was to name it after the principal town or castle lying within the area, in which they held their court, baron, and gaol. This resulted in Firnacreeve being renamed as the barony of Coleraine, just as Kinel-Ferady was renamed Clogher.

List of main settlements

Below is a list of civil parishes in the barony of Coleraine: