DERNISH, or DERRINISH, an island, in the parish of AHAMPLISH, barony of LOWER CARBERY, county of SLIGO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 10 miles (N. N. E.) from Sligo: the population is returned with the parish. This island is situated near the entrance of Milkhaven, on the north-west coast, and contains about 76 statute acres of land, the property of Lord Palmerston. On its south-west side is safe anchorage in all weather in two fathoms. About ½ a mile north of it is Carrignaspanach rock, which lies off the entrance of the haven, and the Tyrconnell rock is about ¼ of a mile from the shore Milkhaven is situated about three leagues east of the point of Ballyconnell; the entrance is difficult, and only adapted for vessels drawing from 6 to 8 feet of water.

(Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837); Transcription © Derek Rowlinson, 2005-10. Reproduced from LibraryIreland. We are deeply grateful to LibraryIreland for allowing us to use their transcription.)