Janet,
The OS memoirs were a detailed description of Ireland in the 1830s. They were commissioned by the Duke of Wellington (then Prime Minister) in order to facilitate a uniform valuation for local taxation purposes. Accurate maps were drawn up (often for the first time) and so army engineers from the Ordnance Survey department were used for the survey work. The records were compiled parish by parish. You cna buy them from the Ulster Historical Foundation. Drummaul is in Co Antrim volume VI.
The description of Drummaul runs to about 30 pages and describes the landscape, main houses, peoples occupations, hobbies and pastimes, things of historical interest in the area, schools, religious breakdown of the population, character of the people, activity in the linen industry, farming practices, courts, public transport, arrangements for looking after the poor, dress habits, fuel, local traditions, emigration, schools, exports and there?s a list of people who left the area in 1835 & 1836.
Randalstown is in the middle of the parish of Drummaul. It?s where the various parish churches are situated. So it takes literally no time at all to get there.
Elwyn
