About County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, and
one of nine counties that historically and geographically constitute
the Province of Ulster. It is the 9th largest of the thirty-two
traditional Counties of Ireland in terms of area, and 2nd in terms
of population behind County Dublin. Antrim is situated in the
north-east of the island of Ireland. It is bounded north and east by
the narrow seas separating Northern Ireland from Scotland. Find
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The Glens of Antrim offer isolated rugged landscapes, the Giant's
Causeway is a unique landscape and a UNESCO World Heritage site,
Bushmills produces legendary whiskey, and Portrush is a popular
seaside resort and night-life zone. The majority of the capital city
of Northern Ireland, Belfast, is also in County Antrim, with the
remainder being in County Down.
The most remarkable cliffs are
those formed of perpendicular basaltic columns, extending for many
miles, and most strikingly displayed in Fair Head and the celebrated
Giant's Causeway. From the eastern coast the hills rise instantly
but less abruptly, and the indentations are wider and deeper. On
both coasts there are several resort towns, including Portrush (with
well-known golf links), Portballintrae and Ballycastle; on the east
Cushendun, Cushendall and Milltown on Red Bay, Carnlough and Glenarm,
Larne, and Whitehead on Belfast Lough. All are somewhat exposed to
the easterly winds prevalent in spring. The only island of size is
Rathlin Island, off Ballycastle, 6½ miles in length by 1½ in
breadth, 7 miles from the coast, and of similar basaltic and
limestone formation to that of the mainland. It is partially arable,
and supports a small population. Find
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Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle literally translated as the Hill fort of the fairy
fort is one of the most extensive ruins of a medieval castle in
Northern Ireland. It is located on the edge of a basalt outcropping
in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and is accessible via a bridge
connecting it to the mainland. It is between Portballintrae and
Portrush. The castle is dramatically surrounded by terrifyingly
steep drops either side, which would have been a very important
factor to the early Christians and Vikings who were drawn to this
place where an early Irish fort once stood.
The Giant's Causeway
The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt
columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. It is located
on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland, about two miles (3 km)
north of the town of Bushmills. It was declared a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO in 1986, and a National Nature Reserve in 1987 by the
Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. In a 2005 poll
of Radio Times readers, the Giant's Causeway was named as the fourth
greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom. The tops of the
columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and
disappear under the sea. Most of the columns are hexagonal, although
there are also some with four, five, seven and eight sides. The
tallest are about 12 metres (36 ft) high, and the solidified lava in
the cliffs is 28 metres thick in places. The Causeway is today owned
and managed by the National Trust and it is the most popular tourist
attraction in Northern Ireland.
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Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge Carrick a Rede: which means the rock in
the road, was given this name because the island and adjacent
shallow channel between it and the mainland act as a barrier to
migrating salmon. They are deflected north into the nets laid by
local fishermen who use the bridge to get to the fishery on the
island. A rope bridge has spanned the 60ft gap between the mainland
and Carrick a Rede Island for at least 200 years. It is put up in
April and remains in place until early September.
Bushmills Distillery
The 'Old Bushmills' Distillery is the World's Oldest Licensed
Whiskey Distillery. King James I granted the original license in
April 1608 and Bushmills has been making the finest Irish Malt
Whiskey here for almost four hundred years. We will be shortly
celebrating our 400th Birthday in 2008. Situated two miles from the
spectacular Giant's Causeway, and one mile from the historical
Dunluce Castle the Distillery lies in an area of outstanding beauty,
which is rich in history and folklore.
Belfast Zoo
A modern zoo with a strong emphasis on conservation, the zoo's
collection includes over 160 different animal species, many of them
endangered. With all the traditional ingredients for a great day
out, Belfast Zoo has something to offer both individuals and
families. You'll enjoy the children's farm, primate and African
enclosures, underwater viewing of penguins and sealions, bird park
and much more.
Towns and Villages in County Antrim Antrim, Ballintroy, Ballycastle, Ballyclare, Ballymena,
Ballymoney, Bushmills, Ballygalley, Carrickfergus, Carrick-a-rede,
Carnlough, Crumlin, Cushendall, Glenarm, Junction one, Larne,
Portrush, Portballintree, Templepatrick,
Whiteabbey
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