Historical Background of Manorhamilton

Manorhamilton was never chartered as a town during the medieval period, only gaining any status in the mid seventeenth century. Its original name derived from Cluainín Uí Ruairc, which translates as O'Rourke's meadowland (Placenames of Co. Leitrim, Pinkman). Its modern name though is derived from its seventeenth century founder, Sir. Frederick Hamilton. Manorhamilton became one of three market towns in the county along with Leitrim village and Carrick-on-Shannon.

Sir Frederick Hamilton, pillar of Scottish society and one of seven sons of Claud Hamilton, acquired vast tracts of land in north Leitrim at the time of the Ulster Plantation. These lands were awarded in 1621 as part of his devotion to the Royal House. Between 1634 and 1638 Sir Frederick built a large castle, as well as owning 6,300 acres of arable land and 10,650 acres of bog and waste at this time.

The castle was considered "the largest, strongest and finest in the county, as well it might". Built of granite-like stone, with an associated small town with two corn mills (History of Co. Leitrim, 1977), the castle withstood the siege of the 1641 Rebellion. This town was by no means substantial and comprised circa 40 houses, some mills and a church (Archaeological Survey Ireland, 2004). Indeed by 1837 the town had changed little with S. Lewis describing it in his Topographical Dictionary of Ireland as a market and post town with one long street (233 houses) and of a population of 1,348.

In common with other towns close to the interface between the native Irish and Plantation settlers, there were skirmishes. In 1642 Irish rebels burnt the town but did not succeed in capturing the castle. The castle was to become a stronghold with Hamilton leading attacks to Sligo in 1642 and Donegal. Hamilton gained notoriety and became a despised figure. During 1643-44 Hamilton, with his two sons, left Manorhamilton and subsequently died in Scotland in 1647 (History of Co. Leitrim, 1977). In 1652 the Earl of Clanrickard burnt the castle (Archaeological Survey Ireland, 2004).