1783 Taylor & Skinner Coleraine, Ballymoney, Finvoy and River Bann, Ireland Road Map
This hand-coloured antique Irish road map, published in 1783, is Map 19 from the second revised edition of Taylor & Skinner’s Maps of the Roads of Ireland. Surveyed in 1777 and corrected down to 1783, it records the historic road network around Coleraine, Ballymoney and Finvoy, together with roads, estates, waterways and settlements across parts of County Antrim and County Londonderry.
The original heading “To Colerain by Antrim” identifies this sheet as part of the wider route to modern Coleraine. The engraving preserves the historical spelling “Colerain”, while the modern spelling Coleraine is used in this listing for easier searching.
Coleraine is prominently shown beside the River Bann, with several important roads meeting around the town. Connections are marked towards Portrush, Bushmills, Dervock and Garvagh, while nearby properties and estates include Sommerseat and other residences associated with contemporary landowners.
The River Bann forms one of the principal geographical features of the sheet, with ferries, roads and estates shown along its course. The map also clearly marks the county transition with the inscription “Enter L. Derry”, indicating entry into County Londonderry.
Ballymoney is another major feature of the engraving, shown with roads towards Ballycastle, Clough and Ballymena. A race course is also marked beside the town, together with surrounding estates, churches and local properties.
Between the principal towns, the map records numerous named estates and country houses, including Drumaheglis, Leslie Hill and other properties associated with contemporary landowners. These details provide a particularly rich picture of settlement and land ownership in the late 18th century.
Finvoy Church is clearly identified on the sheet, while additional roads and local features connect this area with Ballymoney, the River Bann and neighbouring settlements.
The combination of Coleraine, Ballymoney, the River Bann and the County Londonderry boundary makes this map especially interesting for understanding the historic road network and county geography of this part of Ireland.
As throughout Taylor & Skinner’s survey, numerous named estates, country houses and contemporary landowners appear beside the roads, giving the engraving additional interest for Irish local history, genealogy and family-history research.
Identified as Map 19 in Taylor & Skinner’s Maps of the Roads of Ireland, it forms part of their extensive late-18th-century survey of Ireland’s principal roads.