COUNTY
OF ANTRIM
CARRICKFERGUS, WITH
ITS DISTINCTIVE NORMAN CASTLE, IS A POPULAR SAILING CENTRE.
At
Larne, flexing muscles after the ferry ride from Scotland, visitors
can relax in the Carnfunnock Country Park which is situated in
beautiful surroundings and has such attractions as a maze, a walled
garden and an unusual collection of sundials. Heading north drivers
first pierce Blackcave Tunnel then come to Ballygally with Ballygally
Castle, a 1625 planter’s castle, now a hotel complete with
ghost above the Dungeon Bar. Next comes Glenarm, the glen of
the army, spilling out at Glenarm village. Ignore the dust from the
limestone works and note the curious street names and seek out the barbican
gateway to Glenarm Castle, built when a chorister of Wells Cathedral,
a Mr Phelps, married the then Countess of Antrim, made her promise to
give up drink and spend the money on a decent gateway to impress callers.
In the Old Bank in Glenarm is housed The Steensons gold and silversmiths
where you can watch individual pieces being created. Tel: (028) 2884
1445.
North, in Carnlough, the Londonderry Arms was once owned by Winston
Churchill and the limestone bridge over the main road was built by the
Londonderry's to carry more limestone to the pretty limestone harbour,
now a yachtsperson’s and lobster fisherman’s haven. The old
railway line in the village is now a walkway leading to Cranny Waterfalls
and Gortin Quarry Nature Reserve.
Near Garron Point, black Garron Tower, once a home of the lavish
Londonderry's, is now a school given over, in summer, to a study of
the north’s tradition of radical literature focused on the work
of poet John Hewitt. His works, and those of much lesser local poets
will be found in the village shops, in this area rich in local legends
of fiddlers and mischievous fairies.
Glenariff, the ploughman’s glen, now richly wooded, a forest
park splashed with waterfalls, spills out at Red Bay and Waterfoot
with ice cream shops and traditionally built boats for hire and sale.
Some would turn west here, up the glen, to the market towns of Broughshane
and Ballymena, and Grace Hill, a Moravian village where the men
and women are still buried, apart, on opposite sides of the graveyard.
Further south inland is the historic town of Antrim with its
monastic Round Tower, Castle Grounds and Pogue’s Entry Cottage
to name a few. Its location on the shores of Lough Neagh ensure a wide
selection of water-orientated activities. The Clotworthy Arts Centre
is Antrim Borough's premiere venue for drama, music and the visual arts.
It combines a beautiful setting with first class facilities, ensuring
a memorable visit. Tel: (028) 9442 8000. Surrounding Clotworthy Arts
Centre is Antrim Castle Gardens with one of the earliest remaining
Anglo Dutch water gardens in both Ireland and the British Isles. Its
features include ornamental canals, a round pond, an ancient motte and
a parterre garden. Apart from its own scenic qualities the Borough is
a fine base for touring many interesting nearby towns and villages.
Randalstown is home of the impressive Shane’s Castle Estate
and Park.
