History of County Antrim, Ireland

The Spanish vessel La Girona was wrecked off Lacana Point, Giant's Causeway in 1588 with the loss of nearly 1,300 lives.

ANTRIM (County of), a maritime county in the province of ULSTER, bounded on the north by the Northern Ocean, or Deucaledonian Sea; on the north-east and east, by the North Channel; on the south-east, by the lough or bay of Belfast and the river Lagan, separating it from the county of Down, which likewise borders it on the south; on the south-west, by Lough Neagh; on the west, by Lough Beg and the river Bann, which separate it from the county of Londonderry; and on the north-west, by the liberties of Coleraine. It extends from 54° 26' to 55° 12' 16" (N. Lat.), and from 5° 47' to 6° 52' (W. Lon.); and, exclusively of the extensive parish of Carrickfergus (which is a county of a town in itself), comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 76l,877 ¾ statute acres, of which 466,564 are cultivated land, 53,487 ½ are under water, and the remainder unimproved mountain and bog. The population, in 1821, was 262,860; and in 1831, 316,909. In the ancient...

Antrim, an'trim, the northeasternmost county of Ireland, in Ulster, having the Atlantic on the N., the North Channel on the E., the counties of Down and Londonderry on the S. and W., and Lough Neagh on the S.W. Area, 1164 square miles. Pop. 404,015. A part of the surface near the coast is mountainous. In the S.W. much of it is boggy. Coal and some lignite are mined. Chief rivers, the Bann, forming the W., and the Lagan, the S. boundary. The famous Giant's Causeway is on the N. coast of this county. The county sends two members to the House of Commons. Capital, Belfast.

Giant's Causeway: This natural wonder is undoubtedly the most famous attraction in County Antrim. The Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage site and features over 40,000 interlocking hexagonal basalt columns formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. It's a breathtaking sight and offers fantastic photo opportunities.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: If you're feeling adventurous, head to Carrick-a-Rede to cross the famous rope bridge that spans a 100-foot chasm, offering incredible views of the North Antrim Coast. It's not for the faint of heart, but the experience is truly exhilarating.

Bushmills Distillery: Whiskey lovers won't want to miss a visit to the Old Bushmills Distillery, one of the world's oldest licensed distilleries. Take a guided tour to learn about the whiskey-making process and, of course, sample some of their finest products.

Dunluce Castle: This medieval castle perched on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is a must-see. It's not just...