County Antrim 46761 223597407 2008-07-04T20:24:21Z Bardcom 2909462 /* Flora */ Correction to book description {{refimprove|date=April 2008}} {{Infobox Irish Place| name = County Antrim | gaeilge = Contae Aontroma | crest image = Antrim arms.svg | map image = CountyAntrim.png{{!}}200px | area = 2,844 km² | county town = [[Antrim, County Antrim|Antrim]] | population = 566,000{{Fact|date=February 2007}} | census yr = est.| province = [[Ulster]] | |}} '''County Antrim''' (''Contae Aontroma'' or simply ''Aontroim'' in [[Irish language|Irish]]) is one of the six [[counties]] that form the political unit of [[Northern Ireland]], and one of nine counties that historically and geographically constitute the Province of [[Ulster]]. It is the 9th largest of the 32 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]], the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and [[Irish Sea]], south by [[Belfast Lough]] and the [[River Lagan]] dividing it from [[County Down]], south-west by [[Lough Neagh]], dividing it from [[County Armagh]] and [[County Tyrone]], and west by [[County Londonderry]], the boundary with which is the [[River Bann]]. Covering an area of 2,844 km², it has a population of approximately 566,000, most of them in and around the [[Belfast]] area. 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 nightlife zone. The majority of the capital city of Northern Ireland, [[Belfast]], is also in County Antrim, with the remainder being in [[County Down]]. == Geology == [[Image:Fairhead.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Fair Head seen from Ballycastle]] A large portion of the county is hilly, especially in the east, where the highest elevations are attained, though these are nowhere great. The range runs north and south, and, following this direction the highest points are Knocklayd (1,695 ft), Slieveanorra (1,676 ft), Trostan (1,817 ft), Slemish (1,457 ft) and Divis (1,567 ft). The inland slope is gradual, but on the northern shore the range terminates in abrupt and almost perpendicular declivities, and here, consequently, some of the finest coast scenery in the world is found, widely differing, with its unbroken lines of cliffs, from the indented coast-line of the west. 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, Northern Ireland|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. [[Islandmagee]] is in fact a peninsula separating [[Larne Lough]] from the [[North Channel (British Isles)|North Channel]]. The valleys of the Bann and Lagan, with the intervening shores of Lough Neagh, form the fertile lowlands. These two rivers, both rising in County Down, are the only ones of importance. The latter flows to Belfast Lough, the former drains Lough Neagh, which is fed by a number of smaller streams. The fisheries of the Bann and of Lough Neagh (especially for [[salmon]] and [[eels]]) are of value both commercially and to sportsmen, the small town of [[Toome]], at the outflow of the river, being the centre. Immediately below this point lies Lough Beg, the "Small Lake," about 15 feet lower than Lough Neagh. == Transport == County Antrim has a number of important air, rail and sea links. === Air === Northern Ireland's main Airport, [[Belfast International Airport]], at Aldergrove is in County Antrim. Belfast International shares its runways with the [[Royal Air Force]] base [[RAF Aldergrove]], which otherwise has its own facilities. It is the fifth largest regional air cargo centre in the UK. There are regular services to [[Great Britain]], [[Europe]] and [[North America]]. (The region is also served by [[George Best Belfast City Airport]], two kilometres east of Belfast [[Belfast City Centre|city centre]] on the Co. Down side of the city, which was renamed in 2006 in honour of [[Association Football|footballer]] [[George Best]].) === Rail === The main [[Translink (Northern Ireland)|Translink]] [[Northern Ireland Railways]] routes are the major line between Belfast, Antrim, [[Ballymena]], [[Coleraine]] and [[Derry|Londonderry]], Belfast to [[Carrickfergus]] and [[Larne]], the port for [[Stranraer]] in Scotland and Coleraine to [[Portrush]]. '''See Also:''' *[[:Category:Railway stations in Antrim|Railway Stations in County Antrim]] === Sea === Two of Northern Ireland's main ports are in County Antrim, [[Larne]] and [[Belfast]]. Ferries sail from Larne Harbour to destinations including [[Cairnryan]] and [[Troon]] in [[Scotland]], and [[Fleetwood]] in [[England]]. The [[Port of Belfast]] is Northern Ireland's principal maritime gateway, serving the Northern Ireland economy and increasingly that of the Republic of Ireland. It is a major centre of industry and commerce and has become established as the focus of logistics activity for Northern Ireland. Around two thirds of Northern Ireland's seaborne trade, and a quarter of that for Ireland as a whole, is handled at the port which receives over 9000 vessels each year. == Population== The population of County Antrim is 566,000 (estimate). It is one of only two historic counties of Northern Ireland to presently have a majority of the population from a [[Protestant]] [[community background]], according to the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 census]]. The other is [[County Down]]. == Religion == [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland|Presbyterianism]] is the largest religious denomination, followed by [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]] and [[Church of Ireland|Anglicanism]]. County Antrim is one of two counties in [[Ireland]] in which the majority of people are Protestant (the other being [[County Down|Down]]). The strong Presbyterian presence in the county is due largely to the county's historical links with [[Scotland]]. == Administration == The traditional county town is [[Antrim, County Antrim|Antrim]]. More recently, [[Ballymena]] was the seat of county government. (The counties of Northern Ireland ceased to be administrative entities in the 1970s, with the reorganization of local government.) In Northern Ireland the county structure is no longer used in local government. Northern Ireland is split into [[Districts of Northern Ireland|districts]]. Those in County Antrim are administered by the following nine councils: *[[Antrim Borough Council]] *[[Ballymena Borough Council]] *[[Ballymoney Borough Council]] *[[Belfast City Council]] *[[Carrickfergus Borough Council]] *[[Larne Borough Council]] *[[Lisburn City Council]] *[[Moyle District Council]] *[[Newtownabbey Borough Council]] The county contains all of 5 [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|parliamentary]] [[constituencies]]: * [[Belfast North (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast North]] * [[Belfast West (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast West]] * [[East Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|East Antrim]] * [[North Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|North Antrim]] * [[South Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|South Antrim]] Parts of the following constituencies are also in County Antrim: * [[Belfast South (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast South]] * [[East Londonderry (UK Parliament constituency)|East Londonderry]] * [[Lagan Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Lagan Valley]] * [[Upper Bann (UK Parliament constituency)|Upper Bann]] ==Towns & Village == * [[Antrim]], * [[Ballintroy]], * [[Ballycastle]], * [[Ballyclare]], * [[Ballymena]], * [[Ballymoney]], * [[Bushmills]], * [[Ballygalley]], * [[Carrickfergus]], * [[Carrick-a-rede]], * [[Carnlough]], * * [[Crumlin]], * [[Cushendall]], * [[Glenarm]], * [[Junction one]], * [[Larne]], * [[Portrush]], * [[Portballintree]], * [[Templepatrick]], * [[White abbey]] == History == At what date the county of Antrim was formed is not known, but it appears that a certain district bore this name before the reign of [[Edward II of England|Edward II]] (early 14th century), and when the shiring of Ulster was undertaken by Sir [[John Perrot]] in the 16th century, Antrim and Down were already recognized divisions, in contradistinction to the remainder of the province. The earliest known inhabitants were of [[Celt]]ic origin, and the names of the [[townlands]] or subdivisions, supposed to have been made in the 13th century, are all of Gaelic derivation. Antrim was exposed to the inroads of the Danes, and also of the northern Scots, who ultimately effected permanent settlements. In ancient times, it was inhabited by a Celtic people called the Darini. In the early Middle Ages, southern County Antrim was part of the Kingdom of Ulidia, ruled by the Dál Fiatach clans O'Haughey/O'Hoey and MacDonlevy/McDunlavey; the north was part of Dal Riada, which stretched into western Scotland over the Irish Sea. Dal Riada was ruled by the O'Lynch clan, who were vassals of the Ulidians. Besides the Ulidians and Dal Riada, there were the Dal nAraide of lower County Antrim, and the Cruithne, who were not Gaelic Celts but Picts. In the late Middle Ages, it was divided into three parts: northern Clandeboy, the Glynnes and the Route. The Cambro-Norman [[MacQuillan]]s were powerful in the Route. A branch of the O'Neills of Tyrone migrated to Clandeboy in the 1300s, and ruled it for a time. Their family was called O'Neill Clannaboy. A galloglass sept, the MacDonnells, became the most powerful in the Glynnes in the 1400s. Antrim is divided into 16 baronies. Lower Antrim, part of Lower Clandeboy, was settled by the sept O'Flynn/O'Lynn. Upper Antrim, part of Lower Clandeboy, was the home of the O'Keevans. Belfast was part of Lower Clandeboy and was held by the O'Neill-Clannaboys. Lower Belfast, Upper Belfast, and Carrickfergus were also part of Lower Clandeboy. Cary was part of the Glynnes; ruled originally by the O'Quinn sept, the MacDonnell galloglasses from Scotland took power here in the late Middle Ages and some of the O'Haras also migrated from Connaught. Upper and Lower Dunluce were part of the Route, and were ruled by the MacQuillans. Upper and Lower Glenarm was ruled by the O'Flynn/O'Lynn sept, considered part of the Glynns. In addition to that sept and that of O'Quinn, both of which were native, the Scottish gallowglass septs of MacKeown, MacAlister, and MacGee, are found there. Kilconway was originally O'Flynn/O'Lynn territory, but was held by the MacQuillans as part of the Route, and later by the gallowglass sept of MacNeill. Lower Massereene was part of Lower Clandeboy and was ruled by the O'Flynns and the O'Heircs. Upper Massereene was part of Lower Clandeboy, ruled by the O'Heircs. Upper and Lower Toome, part of the Route, were O'Flynn/O'Lynn territory. Misc was first ruled by the MacQuillans. Later, the Scottish gallowglass MacDonnells and MacAlisters invaded. The MacDonnells were a branch of the Scottish Clan MacDonald; the MacAlisters traced their origin back to the Irish Colla Uais, eldest of the Three Collas. Islandmagee had, besides antiquarian remains, a notoriety as a home of witchcraft, and was the scene of an act of reprisal against the Catholic population during the [[Irish Rebellion of 1641]] for the massacre of [[Protestantism|Protestants]], by the Scottish [[Covenanter]] soldiery of Carrickfergus. === Historic Monuments === [[Image:Dunluce Castle.jpg|thumb|250px|Dunluce Castle.]] The antiquities of the county consist of [[cairn]]s, mounts or forts, remains of ecclesiastical and military structures, and [[round tower]]s. The principal cairns are: one on Colin mountain, near Lisburn; one on [[Slieve True]], near Carrickfergus; and two on Colinward. The [[cromlech]]s most worthy of notice are: one near [[Cairngrainey]], to the north-east of the old road from Belfast to [[Templepatrick]]; the large cromlech at [[Mount Druid]], near [[Ballintoy]]; and one at the northern extremity of Islandmagee. The mounts, forts and entrenchments are very numerous. There are three round towers: one at Antrim, one at [[Armoy]], and one on [[Ram Island]] in Lough Neagh, only that at Antrim being perfect. There are some remains of the ecclesiastic establishments at [[Bonamargy]], where the earls of Antrim are buried, [[Kells, County Antrim|Kells]], Glenarm, [[Glynn]], [[Muckamore]] and Whiteabbey. The noble castle of Carrickfergus is the only one in perfect preservation. There are, however, remains of other ancient castles, as [[Olderfleet]], Cam's, Shane's, Glenarm, Garron Tower and Red Bay, but the most interesting of all is [[Dunluce Castle]], remarkable for its great extent and romantic situation. The [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]], the [[Giant's Causeway]], is in Antrim. See Also: *[[:category:Castles in County Antrim|Castles in County Antrim]] ===Saint Patrick=== [[Slemish]], about 8 miles east of Ballymena, is notable as being the scene of St Patrick's early life. According to tradition [[Saint Patrick]] was a slave for seven years, near the hill of Slemish, until he escaped back to [[Great Britain]]. ===Linen=== [[Linen]] manufacturing was previously an important industry in the County. At the time Ireland produced a large mount of [[flax]]. Cotton-spinning by [[Spinning jenny|jennies]] was first introduced by to Belfast by industrialists Robert Joy and Thomas M'Cabe in 1777; an Twenty-three years later it was estimated that more than 27,000 people were employed in the industry within 10 miles of Belfast. Women were employed in the working of patterns on [[muslin]]. ==Notable residents== *[[James Adair (historian)|James Adair]], (1709-1783), born in County Antrim, explorer, trader, and historian<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | date = 1967}}</ref> *[[John Bodkin Adams]], (1899-1983), general practitioner born in [[Randalstown]] and suspected of killing 163 patients while practising in [[Eastbourne]], [[England]].<ref>Cullen, Pamela V., "A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr John Bodkin Adams", London, Elliott & Thompson, 2006, ISBN 1-904027-19-9</ref> *[[William Arthur (clergyman)|William Arthur]], (1797-1875), born in Ballymena, noted antiquitarian and [[Baptist]] [[clergyman]] in the [[United States]].<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> *[[Eva McGown]], (1883-1972), chorister, pioneer, and hostess in [[Alaska]] *[[John O'Kane Murray]], (1847-1885), born in Antrim, physician and noted author.<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/> ==Flora and Fauna== ===Flora=== Records of the [[seaweeds]] of Co. Antrim were brought together and published in 1907 by J. Adams <ref name="Adams 07">'''Adams, J.''' 1907. The Seaweeds of the Antrim Coast. ''Scient. Pap. Ulster Fish. Biol. Ass.'' Vol.1: 29 - 37</ref> who notes that the list contains 211 species. Batter's list, of 1902,<ref name="Batters 02">'''Batters, E.A.L. ''' 1902. A catalogue of the British marine algae being a list of all the species of seaweed known to occur on the shores of the British Islands, with the localities where they are found. ''J. Bot., Lond.'' '''40''' (suppl.): (2) + 107.</ref> contained 747 species in his catalogue of British marine algae. See Also: *[[:Category:People from County Antrim|People from County Antrim]] == References == * {{1911}} *<references/> ==See also== * [[Abbeys and priories in Northern Ireland#County Antrim|Abbeys and priories in Northern Ireland (County Antrim)]] == External links == *[http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Antrim.php/ County Antrim in 1900] *[http://www.castlefm.co.uk Castle FM - County Antrim Radio Station] *[http://www.thenorthernirelandguide.co.uk/category/co-antrim/ The Northern Ireland Guide: For information and reviews for locals and tourists alike] *[http://www.irelandlocal.com/directory/mtree/antrim/ Local Antrim Guide] {{Counties and cities of Northern Ireland}} {{Ireland_counties}} [[Category:Ulster|Antrim]] [[Category:County Antrim| ]] [[Category:Counties of Northern Ireland| ]] [[ar:مقاطعة أنترم]] [[ast:Condáu d'Antrim]] [[br:Kontelezh Aontroim]] [[ca:Comtat d'Antrim]] [[de:County Antrim]] [[es:Condado de Antrim]] [[eo:County Antrim]] [[fr:Comté d'Antrim (Irlande du Nord)]] [[ga:Contae Aontroma]] [[gv:Coontae Aontryma]] [[it:Antrim (contea)]] [[lt:Antrimo grafystė]] [[mk:Антрим]] [[nl:County Antrim]] [[ja:アントリム州]] [[no:Antrim (grevskap)]] [[nn:County Antrim]] [[pl:Hrabstwo Antrim]] [[pt:Condado de Antrim (Irlanda do Norte)]] [[ro:Comitatul Antrim]] [[ru:Антрим (графство)]] [[sco:Coonty Antrim]] [[sv:Antrim (grevskap)]] [[tg:Вилояти Антрим]] [[tr:Antrim Kontluğu]] [[uk:Антрім]] [[zh:安特里姆郡]]