County Antrim features several notable towns renowned for their historical significance, natural beauty, and tourist appeal:
- Antrim: The historic county town sits on the shores of Lough Neagh, offering a peaceful market town atmosphere with Antrim Castle Gardens — featuring restored 17th-century landscapes, a barbican gate, and Clotworthy House arts centre — along with the ancient Round Tower and opportunities for waterside walks and boating on the UK’s largest lake.
- Ballymena: Known as the “middle town,” this bustling market hub serves as a commercial centre with nearby Slemish Mountain, traditionally linked to St Patrick, providing hiking trails and panoramic views, plus family attractions like the ECOS Environmental Centre and lively shopping experiences.
- Ballymoney: Nestled in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, this market town offers excellent shopping and access to rural countryside, with highlights including the nearby Dark Hedges (famous from Game of Thrones) and traditional experiences like exploring local heritage museums and scenic drives through the Bann Valley.
- Ballycastle: A charming seaside resort at the northern tip of the Glens of Antrim, it boasts a sandy beach, harbour, and the annual Oul’ Lammas Fair; visitors enjoy ferry trips to Rathlin Island for birdwatching and seal spotting, coastal walks, and proximity to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
- Bushmills: Famous worldwide for the Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery, offering guided tours and tastings; the village provides a quaint base for exploring the Giant’s Causeway UNESCO site, with scenic walks along the dramatic north coast and nearby Dunluce Castle ruins.
- Carrickfergus: Home to the impressive Norman Carrickfergus Castle, one of Ireland’s best-preserved medieval structures with exhibitions and harbour views; the town offers historical walks along its ancient walls, marina activities, and a glimpse into maritime heritage.
- Larne: A coastal port town and gateway to the Antrim Coast Road, ideal for exploring the nine Glens of Antrim with their waterfalls and forests; attractions include Carnfunnock Country Park for outdoor adventures, seaside promenades, and ferry links to Scotland.
- Portrush: A vibrant seaside resort on the Causeway Coast, renowned for its golden beaches, championship golf courses at Royal Portrush, and lively amusements; visitors experience surfing, watersports, coastal paths to the Giant’s Causeway, and family-friendly entertainment arcades.
Antrim:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Contact list – Dining – Equestrian –Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Instagrammable– Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies –Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Writers
Towns
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
