the glens of antrim

In a distance of 40 mile along the Antrim Coast Road there occur examples of nearly every rock formation and epoch, from Schists over 300 million years old (the earths original crust) to lave fields, glacial deposits, raised beaches and flint beds. The red sandstone tints the beaches. All the way along, black and white boulders are scattered like dice. The Glens are grand territory for game or sea anglers and for golfers. Botanists, geologists and archeologists spend happy days in rich hunting grounds and keen walkers follow the varied peatland, coastal and forest routes of the Ulster and Moyle Ways. The names of the nine Glens, from south to north, are: Glenarm (glen of the army), Glencloy (glen of hedges), Glenariff (ploughman's glen), Glenballyeamon (Edward's glen and town), Glenaan (glen of little fords), Glencorp (glen of the slaughter), Glendun (brown glen), Glenshesk (sedgy glen) and Glentaisie (glen of the princess Taisie.) The Antrim Moutains rise steeply from the Glens, but when you reach the top you find a great moorland plateau gently sloping for 15 miles to the valley of the river Bann and the busy town of Ballymena. There are not many roads up here-but those there are lead through superb, deserted scenery: past the forests of Beagh, Glenbush, Glenariff and Ballyboley, over countless of Beagh, Glenbush, Glenariff and Ballyboley, over countless streams to tiny sheep rearing settlements like Newtown Crommelin.

June: Ballycastle Fleadh Amhran agus Rince Feis na nGleann (near Ballycastle) Larne Civic Week July: John Hewitt International Summer School Glenariff carnival Week Cushendun Music Day August: Larne Flower Show Cushendall Heart of the Glens Festival Cushendall Set dance and singing festival Oul' Lammas Fair September: Carnlough sheepdog trials October: Mounthill traditional horse fair (Larne) Larne road relay race Ballycastle traditional apple fair In addition sports competitions, carnivals, and car rallies are organised in the area in summer.

Getting there and getting about: The quickest crossings by sea are high speed ferries from Scotland to Larne and Belfast. Both of Belfast's airports are within 25 miles of Larne. Frequent train services link Belfast (Central) to Larne, and to buses serving the Glens. In summer, coach tours around the Antrim Coast Road depart from Belfast, Ballycastle and Larne.

Larne Interpretative Centre A major seaport with good hotels and shops, it has an excellent leisure centre and theatre beside the beach and promenade, golf courses, tennis, bowls, sea and river fishing. The famous Antrim Coast Road is featured at the Larne Interpretative Centre and rural artefacts are on show at Larne & District Historical Centre. A ferry lies between the port and the peninsula of Islandmagee, which boasts two open farms, one of which, Ford Farm Park, has an interesting farm museum. Larne Lough is ideal is sailing and is also home to waders and migratory birds. Nearby are the villages of Glynn and Gleno (with a mini glen and waterfall preserved by the National Trust). Guided Tours are available at Maud's Ice Cream Dairy in Gleno. Off the A2, 3 1/2 miles north of Larne, Carnfunnock Country Park is popular with caravanners and campers. The park has a maze, a pretty 'time' garden, sundials, a nine-hole golf course, an adventure playground, and a visitor centre with café and gift shop. Ballygalley The first old village on the coast road, with a romantic, turreted castle (now a hotel) right by the beach. Steps lead down to the shore from the picturesque crafts shop opposite the hotel. The precipitous Sallagh Braes provides one of the most scenic walks in Ulster. Glenarm: The oldest of the villages, with narrow streets leading to Glenarm Forest with its paths and waterfalls. A gold and Silversmith's workshop and a pottery in the village are worth a visit. Glenarm Castle, with a striking resemblance to the Tower of London, is the home of the Earl of Antrim. Carnlough: A big, level sandy bay makes this a popular spot for holidaymakers. The little white limestone harbour is always full of pleasure boats with anglers aboard. Glenariff: The 'Queen of the Glens' with a series of waterfalls plunging down through a gorge traversed by rustic bridges. One cascade has the name 'tears of the mountain'. The park is also a national nature reserve with easy access to a caravan and camp site. There is a wonderful view from the visitor centre down the glen which Thackeray described as a 'Switzerland in miniature'. Waterfoot: The village at the foot of Glenariff, by lovely Red Bay so called because of the reddish sand washed by streams from the sandstone. Fishing boats can be hired at the harbour here. There is a series of caves in the Cliffs, which were once inhabited, with the fragmentary ruins of Red Bay Castle above. Cushendall: 'Capital of the Glens' is at the junction of three of them and beautifully sited in the curve of the River Dall. There is so much to do and see here: a scenic golf course, secluded caravan and camp sites, game and sea fishing, boating in the sheltered bay - and great walking. Tieveragh Hill is supposed to be the capital of the fairies (living inside it). Above the village soars the table-top mountain of Lurigethan. Ossian's Grave ; is at the end of a path on the lower slopes of Tievebulliagh. The Celtic poet is said to have resisted St Patrick, arguing that Christianity was too strict for the exuberant Gaels. Another lovely walk from cushendall is by the shore to the picturesque ruins of Layde Old Church, partly 13th century, and used a parish church until 1790. Cushendun; The whole village and beach is preserved by the National Trust for its Cornish-style cottages and unspoiled beauty. Here again there are caravan parks and marvellous walks by shore and hilltop. The river Dun is noted for salmon and sea trout, and boats are easily launched at the river's sandy mouth. Up on the moors Ballypatrick Forest has a scenic drive, walks and picnic areas. In July and August visit Watertop Open Farm, beside the entrance to the forest, to see the animals at close quarters, and a farm museum. Also pony trekking, boating and caravan and camping. Here the scenery begins to change to the rugged grandeur of the Causeway coast. Torr Head; A long peninsula reaching to within 12 miles of the Scottish coast. Murlough Bay; One of the most beautiful bays in Ireland, protected by the National Trust which has provided a corkscrew road enabling the motorist to drive right down to the little tree-fringed beach in the shelter of lofty Fair Head. Ballycastle; At the foot of beehive-shaped Knocklayd Mountain, this is a small seaside resort of architectural character to which holidaymakers return time and again. It has everything - fine beach, cliffs and coves, ruined friary, splendid sea and river angling, golf course, tennis, bowls, caravan and camping, parks and even night-clubs. In the local pubs you will meet deep-sea fishermen, scuba divers, geologists, archaeologists, botanists and fossil-hunters. From the harbour boats leave year round for Rathlin Island - six miles offshore. Each June Feis na Gleann, a festival of Gaelic games, music and dancing, is held in Ballycastle. An exhibition of the folk social history of the Glens may be enjoyed in Ballycastle Museum during the summer. A drive up either Glenshesk or Glentaisie leads to beautiful, secluded scenery near Breen Wood, and the village of Armoy which has a 30-foot ruined round tower.