Towns in County Leitrim.

Manorhamilton in earlier times was called Cluainín Uí Ruairc, 'O'Rourke's meadowland,' its present name is derived from the English plantation period and Sir. Frederick Hamilton who in 1621 for services to the crown came into the possession of 6,300 acres of arable land and some 10,000 thousand acres of bog. Hamilton built a substantial castle which was unsuccessfully sieged in 1641 by the native Irish, the following year the castle was attacked again and the town burnt.

During 1642 the castle was used as a base from which to raid Sligo and Donegal. Hamilton as can be imagined was much reviled in Cavan, by 1644 he and his two sons had departed to Scotland where he died in 1647.

Manorhamilton is the largest town in North Leitrim, population 1,417, (2002 Census) 729 Male and 688 Female. North Leitrim is characterised by its mountains and large lakes, with deep glacial valleys radiating from the centre of the land mass to form a spectacularly scenic landscape. Manorhamilton is a town with a large number of historical sights and buildings some dating back to 1634 when Sir Frederick Hamilton built his castle and from that the town got its name.