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New Harbour and Lifeboat Sundial Old Harbour |
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Portrush derives its name from , Portros, Portross or Portrossce, the meaning relates to its location, Port of the Promontory. The area is known to have been the site of human settlement for over 1500 years. Shortly after the last ice age some ten thousand years ago, the promontory was an island surrounded by bog land, evidence of peat deposits can at times be found exposed on Mill Strand (West Strand). Evidence of early settlements were also uncovered where Curran Strand (East Strand) car park and Causeway Street are now situated. The town later had a church and castle of strategic importance, nothing remains of either, they were both ransacked and partly destroyed by General Munro during the 1641-49 conflict in Ireland. The large harbour is home to the lifeboat 'Katie Hannan' which came on station in September of 2000 and is named after the late Mrs. Katrina Hannan of London who bequeathed a share of her estate to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute. This 'Severn' class lifeboat was the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, with a range of 250 nautical miles and a speed of 25 knots she is well able to cover the often rough waters of the north channel and western approaches. The lifeboat station was founded in 1860 and to date has saved over three hundred lives and been awarded eight silver and one bronze medals for bravery. The original harbour nestles behind the shelter of Ramore headland and is still used today for berthing small tenders and open rowing boats. |
