What's on inCounty Antrim

County Antrim is located in the north east of Northern Ireland and is named after its county town, Antrim. The region covers over 2800 square kilometers and is both one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland and one of the six counties that make up modern Northern Ireland. It also lies within the historical province of Ulster. Visitors to County Antrim are often awe struck by the incredible and varied terrain on offer, particularly the UNESCO World heritage site of Giants Causeway. From desolate jagged landscapes to seaside resorts, from the enchanting villages of Cushendall, Carnlough and Cushendun, to fertile green valleys and frothing waterfalls, from the walled city of Derry and the Bogside Murals to the capital city Belfast, County Antrim is a must see destination on any trip to Northern Ireland.

The region of County Antrim has been inhabited for centuries, from the ancient Celtic people known as the Darini to the Kingdom of Ulidia in the Middle Ages, from the Anglo-Norman invasions to the clans that ruled for hundreds of years and the invasions of the Vikings to the constant attempted invasions of the Tudor era. Because of this it is almost impossible to turn a corner and not come upon some historic or ancient remains in the region, from cairns and forts or mounts to old churches and cathedrals, military remains or old towers. From the round towers at Ram Island, Armoy and Antrim to the medieval castle at Carrickfergus and the castles of Dunluce, Red Bay, Garron tower and Olderfleet to the Cairns of Colin Mountain, Slieve True, Carrickfergus and Colinward there are hundreds of historical sights worth seeing. Indeed the town of Lisburn has an astonishing 134 churches whilst Belfast is a city steeped in history and historic sites. From Belfast Castle to the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, or from Stormont Castle to St Annes Cathedral to the beautiful Queens University.

Further out and further back in history there is the Giants Ring, a Neolithic ritual complex with a Druids Altar at its center as well as the volcanic scenery of the Giants Causeway rock formations. County Antrim features some of the most awesome and remarkable coastal formations in the world, from jagged fierce cliffs and coves, pinnacles and sea stacks, caves and sandy beaches broken up only by the Atlantic surf and charming resort towns such as Portrush (with its well-known golf links), Portballintrae and Ballycastle. Truly a beautiful region and well worth visiting.