County Antrim ~ Northern Ireland

County Antrim is one of the six traditional Northern Irish (Ulster) Counties and is situated to the far North East of the Province. Its name in the Irish Gaelic is Contae Aontroma and its county town is Antrim. Although the origins of the county are not recorded, it is known that it was the name of an Irish district prior to the 14th century. It was originally settled by Celtic tribes. The region was regularly invaded by Viking and Scottish marauders who originally came to pillage, but eventually established extensive settlements of their own in the area. As a result, the archaeology of County Antrim is diverse with examples of relics that reflect the architecture, religions and craft skills of all the peoples that came and stayed. The county is the site of Mount Slemish near to Ballymena where St Patrick - Ireland's Patron Saint, spent his early life and according to legend he was held here as a slave for seven years before his escape. Over the centuries the area was also heavily fortified and there are numerous sites of castles that bear witness to the turbulent history of Antrim that has been the scene of numerous religiously inspired massacres particularly around the town of Carrickfergus. More recently the county has suffered its share of death and destruction resulting from the sectarian 'troubles' although this situation has now hopefully improved thanks to the apparent will by the main factions to embrace the peace process.

Geography

County Antrim covers an area of around 1,200 square miles and shares county boundaries with Counties Armagh, Tyrone, Down and Londonderry. It is a maritime county that has an eastern shore line on the Irish Sea coast. The wide Belfast Lough lies to the south of the county which is also home to Lough Neagh. Although it has a population of more than half a million people, most of these live in or close to the city of Belfast. The countryside of the county tends to substantial high ground to east that slopes gently inland but ends in an almost unbroken line of cliffs at the coastal side. The famous Giant's Causeway, consisting of massive basalt pillars is situated on the north coast of County Antrim. This unique natural geological feature has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Industries

Thanks to the temperate climate enjoyed by the region and the exceptionally peat rich soil, County Antrim has a valuable food production industry with arable and root crops being extensively cultivated. Livestock and fruit farming are also an important source of revenue.

Textile manufacture, whiskey production and the manufacture of paper remain significant sources of employment in the county. Now that the violence in the region appears to be over, there are strong indications that the tourist industry is undergoing a rebirth with an increasing number visitors having the confidence to travel to this beautiful region to experience the magnificent countryside and to enjoy Irish culture and the famed hospitality of the Province.

Cities, towns and villages within County Antrim