Uí Ruairc (anglicised as O'Rourke) was the local Gaelic chieftain, based in nearby Dromahair, whose land was seized by the English and then granted to Sir Frederick Hamilton for his services in the European wars of the 17th century.

[2] Manorhamilton castle was erected in 1634 by Sir Frederick Hamilton, who had been granted land in north Leitrim by the British government.

Hamilton was a very unpopular overlord and faced frequent native rebellion before the Castle was burned by the Earls of Clanrickard (Burkes) in 1652.

[6][7] Farming is still a dominant sector,[citation needed] yet traditional industries and livelihoods are being replaced by new forms of economic activity.

This includes the nearby O'Donnell's Rock plateau, where several well-preserved stone forts and passage tombs are located.

Lisdarush Ring Fort is an Iron Age site which can be seen just off the Rossinver road approximately 2 miles (3 km) from Manorhamilton.

[10][11] The nearest railway station to Manorhamilton is Sligo, which is served by trains to Dublin Connolly and is operated by Iarnród Éireann.

All maintenance on the line's engines and rolling stock was carried out at the station works, and the railway became a major employer locally.

The railway served as a major business and tourism artery to the area and developed a large trade in livestock exports.

[citation needed] Manor Rangers pitch is located in the Bee Park sports grounds in the centre of the town.

[citation needed] Local media organisations include the Leitrim Observer newspaper, and the town and its hinterland is covered by Ocean FM radio station, which had a studio in Manorhamilton until 2017.