Antrim

Historic county of Northern Ireland, occupying the northeastern corner of Northern Ireland, with a coastal eastern boundary; area 2,830 sq km/1,092 sq mi. The principal towns and cities are Belfast, Larne (port), Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Lisburn, and Carrickfergus. The county borders Lough Neagh, and is separated from Scotland by the North Channel, which is only 21 km/13 mi wide at Torr Head, the narrowest point. The Antrim Mountains (highest point 554 m/1,817 ft) run parallel to the coastline. The main rivers are the Bann and the Lagan, and there are peat bogs. Administrative responsibility for the county is held by the councils of Belfast, Larne, Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Lisburn, Moyle, Carrickfergus, and Newtownabbey.

The coast road that stretches from Larne to the west past the Giant's Causeway to the resort of Portrush follows 97 km/60 mi of beautiful coastline. The first 45 km/28 mi were blasted out from the chalky cliffs in 1834. Other notable natural features include the Glens of Antrim (an area of outstanding natural beauty, dominated by a high plateau cut by deep glens which sweep eastward to the sea), and Kebble National Nature Reserve, on Rathlin Island, off the coast near Ballycastle.

Bushmills Distillery, in the village of Bushmills, has the oldest-known licence for distilling whiskey. There are a number of early fortifications, castles (including the 12th-century Carrickfergus Castle and ruins of the 16th-century Dunluce Castle), and medieval ecclesiastical remains in the county. The village of Cushendun, modelled on a Cornish village, was built by Clough Williams-Ellis (who also created Portmeirion in Wales) in the early 20th century. The traditional Ould Lammas Fair at Ballycastle takes place in August. The city of Belfast has a long history as an industrial centre, holding at one time the largest linen industry in the world, the largest rope works, and the largest shipbuilding company.

Antrim

Town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland; population (2001) 20,000. It is situated on the Six Mile Water where it enters the northeast corner of Lough Neagh, 28 km/17 mi northwest of Belfast. Antrim is a manufacturing and market town with engineering, electronics, and construction industries as well as computer-software development. Antrim is the main shopping area within Antrim Borough, containing the impressive Castle Shopping Centre.

In 1643 Antrim was burnt by Scottish Covenanters, Scottish Presbyterians who swore to uphold their own form of worship, as opposed to an English form, in a National Covenant signed in February 1638; in 1798 it was the site of the Battle of Antrim, at which the United Irishmen were defeated by English troops. The Round Tower (28 m/92 ft high) is all that remains of the 10th-century Aentrebh monastery after which the town is named.

On the outskirts of the town, the formal Antrim Castle Gardens date from the 17th century. Clotworthy Arts Centre was built in the 1840's as the stable block for Antrim Castle of which only a tower survives in Antrim Castle Gardens. It was completely refurbished in 1993 as an arts centre, and has received National Lottery Arts Funding. Also located in the grounds of the former castle is a golf course.

Castle Upton, designed in the late 18th century by Robert Adam, is 9 km/5.5 mi east of Antrim at Templepatrick. Shane's Castle Park and deer park are 8 km/5 mi west of Antrim, and Randalstown Forest wildlife reserve is nearby. One of the finest access points to Lough Neagh is Lough Shore Park, at a distance of 1.6 km/1 mi from the town centre.

A number of archaeological sites are located near Antrim: 3 km/2 mi to the east are the ring forts of Rathmore and Rathbeg (the possible seat of the kings of Dál nAraide during the 6th and 7th centuries); 5 km/3 mi to the east on Donegore Hill is a Neolithic enclosed settlement; and at nearby Ballywee, ring fort excavations show evidence of house foundations and souterrains (underground dwellings).

Antrim

Administrative region in the central-northeastern area of Northern Ireland, serving an area in the centre of County Antrim, and bordering the north and east shores of Lough Neagh; area 421 sq km/163 sq mi; population (2001) 48,400. The towns under the council's remit include Antrim, Toomebridge, Crumlin, Randalstown, and Templepatrick. The principal sources of employment include information technology, the communications industry, transport, engineering, and agriculture.