Antrim, County Antrim

Infobox UK place
official_name= Antrim
irish_name= Aontroim
map_type= Northern Ireland
latitude= 54.7173
longitude= -6.2055
population= 20,001 (2001 Census)
irish_grid_reference=J1588
unitary_northern_ireland= Antrim Borough
country= Northern Ireland
post_town= ANTRIM
postcode_area= BT
postcode_district= BT41
dial_code= 028
constituency_westminster= South Antrim
lieutenancy_northern_ireland= County Antrim
constituency_ni_assembly=South Antrim
belfast_distance=convert|19|mi|0
london_distance=
website=http://www.antrim.gov.uk

Antrim (derive|Irish|Aontroim|Solitary Farm) is a town in County Antrim in the northeast of Northern Ireland, on the banks of the Six Mile Water, half a mile northeast from Lough Neagh. It had a population of 20,001 people in the 2001 Census. The town is the administrative centre for Antrim Borough Council. It is 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Belfast by rail, and was, until recently, also served by the railway line from Lisburn.

Antrim gained fame in 2004 with the opening of "Junction One International Outlet Store", which was, until the opening of a similar facility near Banbridge, the only one of its kind in Northern Ireland.

History

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. During the 1798 rebellion on June 7, 1798 United Irish rebels under Henry Joy McCracken unsuccessfully attacked the town, meeting defeat in the Battle of Antrim. The county governor, Lord O'Neill, was mortally wounded in the fighting. Before the Act of Union, Antrim returned two members to parliament by virtue of letters patent granted in 1666 by Charles II.

The Troubles

For more information see The Troubles in Antrim, which includes a list of incidents in Antrim during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.

Geography

Divisions and suburbs of Antrim include Ballycraigy, Carnbeg, Caulside, Dublin Road, Greenvale, Greystone, Islandbawn, Meadowlands, Muckamore, Newpark, Niblock, Parkhall, Rathenraw, Riverside, Springfarm, Steeple, Stiles, The Folly, Townparks.

The town has a mainly Protestant population, and most of the Estates in Antrim are Protestant, with the exceptions of Rathenraw, part of Upper Stiles, and part of Greystone Estates.

The steep hill in Stiles Estate, between the majority Catholic Upper Stiles and majority Protestant Lower Stiles, has seen much conflict in the last 10 years, with gangs of youths from Rathenraw and Parkhall using the hill as a pitched battlefield.

Demography

Antrim is classified as a Large Town by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) [ [http://www.nisra.gov.uk/ NI Statistics and Research Agency website.] ] (ie with population between 18,000 and 75,000). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 20,001 people living in Antrim. Of these:
*23.1% were aged under 16 years and 15.7% were aged 60 and over
*48.6% of the population were male and 51.4% were female
*32.9% were from a Catholic background and 61.5% were from a Protestant background
*3.8% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.

For more details see: Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service [ [http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/ Northern Ireladn Neighbourhood Information website.] ]

Landmarks

There are many buildings of historic note in the town, especially in and around High Street. The courthouse sits at the end of the street, near the Barbican Gate, the old gateway to Antrim Castle. There are also hidden gems, such as a 19th century smithy (now a shop) on Bridge Street with a distinctive horseshoe entrance.

* Shane's Castle and Antrim Castle
* About a mile from the town is one of the most perfect of the round towers of Ireland, 93 feet high and 50 feet in circumference at the base. It stands in the grounds of Steeple, where there is also the "Witches' Stone", a prehistoric monument.
* There was a Castle, near the Six Mile Water, which was destroyed in a fire in 1922. All that remains is an octagonal tower.
* The river allowed the linen industry to be established. The linen industry has been replaced by a Technology Park, the only one in Northern Ireland.
* Antrim Market House is a 2–story building, nine bays long, three deep built in 1726. Formerly a Court House, it is currently vacant.

Transport

Antrim railway station was opened on 11 April 1848, and closed for goods traffic on 4 January 1965. [cite web | title=Antrim | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-08-27]

Education

*Antrim Grammar School
*Parkhall College
*Antrim Primary School
*St Comgalls Primary School
*Greystone Primary
*Ballycraigy Primary School
*Parkhall Primary School
*St Joseph's Primary School
*Rathenraw Primary School
*RoundTower Primary School

port

*Antrim Hockey Club
* Antrim Forum leisure centre [ [http://www.antrim.gov.uk/index.cfm?website_Key=27&Category_key=129&Page_Key=487 Antrim Forum website.] ]
*Chimney Corner F.C.
* Antrim Mixed Martial Arts Academy [ [http://www.antrim-mma.com/ Antrim MMA] ]
*Ballymena and Antrim Athletics Club [ [http://www.baacni.co.uk/ Ballymena and Antrim A.C Homepage] ]

Notable Antrimers

Antrim was home to author and poet Dr. Alexander Irvine who was born in Pogues Entry in the town. He later wrote My Lady of the Chimney Corner. This was a reference to his mother.Snooker player Mark Allen who made his crucible debut in 2007 with a first round win over former champion Ken Doherty is from Antrim Town. Maurice Jennings Author of "The Lazarus Legacy" grew up and still lives in Antrim. Lyndsylee Spence Author of "Begging for Bees", "My Neighbour Peejay" grew up and still lives in Antrim.

References

*
* [http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=16&to=311&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Antrim on the "Culture Northern Ireland" website.]

ee also

* Market Houses in Northern Ireland

External links

* [http://cloghmore.bravepages.com/antrim/antrimMH.html Antrim Market House]
* [http://cloghmore.bravepages.com/antrim/antrimRT.html Antrim Round Tower]
* [http://www.antrimlive.com/ Antrim live]
* [http://www.antrim.gov.uk/ Antrim Borough Council]
* [http://www.antrim-mma.com/ Antrim MMA]
* [http://www.bfbs.com/ni **new** BFBS Radio in Antrim on 106.5 fm]