Antrim (town)

Antrim (Aontroim in Irish) is a small town in County Antrim in the north-east of Northern Ireland, and is situated in the south parliamentary division, on the banks of the Six-Mile Water, half a mile north-east from Lough Neagh.

Related Topics:
Irish - County Antrim - Northern Ireland - Lough Neagh

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It is 21-¾ miles north-west of Belfast by the Northern Counties (Midland) railway, and is also the terminus of a branch of the Great Northern railway from Lisburn.

Related Topics:
Belfast - Lisburn

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There is nothing in the town specially worthy of notice, but the environs, including Shane's Castle and Antrim Castle, possess features of considerable interest. About a mile from the town is one of the most perfect of the round towers of Ireland, 93 feet high and 50 in circumference at the base. It stands in the grounds of Steeple, a neighbouring seat, where is also the "Witches' Stone," a prehistoric monument.

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A battle was fought near Antrim between the English and Irish in the reign of Edward III; and in 1642 a naval engagement took place on Lough Neagh, for Viscount Massereene and Ferrard (who founded Antrim Castle in 1662) had a right to maintain a fighting fleet on the lough. On June 7, 1798 there was a smart action in the town between the king's troops and a large body of rebels, in which the latter were defeated, and Lord O'Neill mortally wounded. Before the Union Antrim returned two members to parliament by virtue of letters patent granted in 1666 by Charles II.

Related Topics:
Edward III - 1642 - June 7 - 1798 - 1666

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There are manufactures of paper, linen, and woollen cloth. The government is in the hands of town commissioners.

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The town is the administrative centre for Antrim Borough Council. It is a historical town with a round tower built by monks when the vikings invaded the land. Amtrim's attractions also include Shane's Castle and the Six Mile river. There was a Castle, near the six mile water river which runs through the town, which was destroyed in a fire in 1922. Sinn Fein was blamed for the fire. All that remains is octogonal tower. The river allowed much linen industry to be formed and now the is a new Technology Park, the only one in Northern Ireland. There was a rebellion by the United Irishmen in 1798 which helped lead to the inclusion of Ireland into the United Kingdom. Antrim was home to famous author and poet Alexander Irvine, who lived in Chimney Corner. It is home to the only International Retail Outlet, Junction 1. The major motorway M2 runs near the town.

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