57-413: Mid Antrim may refer to: The central part of County Antrim Mid Antrim (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency) Mid Antrim (UK Parliament constituency) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Mid Antrim . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
114-487: A hostel , can be found in nearby Ballycastle. The first climbs at Fair Head were done in the mid-1960s by Belfast-based climbers and members of the Dublin-based Spillikin Club. Most of these climbs followed loose and dirty chimneys and are rarely repeated today, however, by the end of the sixties development of the crag had started in earnest. Development slowed during the height of the troubles in
171-531: A concentration in the boulder fields that have accumulated in Murlough Bay area (east side of the crag) and at the base of the Ballycastle Descent area (west side). These dolerite boulders have fallen off the cliffs above and the general required style is described as "steep, crimpy and powerful", with a caution that excess bouldering mats are needed to handle the poor landing areas due to
228-549: A point called Ῥοβόγδιον ( Rhobogdiun ) (cf the Pictish Robogdii tribe), which academics believe is Fair Head. The name may derive from the Proto-Celtic root * bogd , "bend". Fair Head (and the neighboring Murlough Bay) are classed as an area of special scientific interest (ASSI), and are on the register of Antrim ASSI . Fair Head is a sill of Palaeogene age that is the thickest and most extensive of
285-494: A rocky outcrop. The principal cairns are: one on Colin mountain, near Lisburn; one on Slieve True , near Carrickfergus; and two on Colinward. The cromlechs most worthy of notice are: one near Cairngrainey , to the north-east of the old road from Belfast to Templepatrick ; the large cromlech at Mount Druid, near Ballintoy ; and one at the northern extremity of Islandmagee. The mounts, forts and entrenchments are very numerous. The natural rock formations of Giant's Causeway on
342-448: Is a 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) long, 200-metre (660 ft) high, mountain cliff, close to the sea, at the north-eastern corner of County Antrim , Northern Ireland . The cliff's sheer and vertical 100-metre (330 ft) high dolerite rock face is shaped into distinctive vertical columns like organ pipes, which formed 60 million years ago when a sill of igneous rock was injected between horizontal Carboniferous sediments. Fair Head
399-495: Is a major centre of industry and commerce and has become established as the focus of logistics activity for Northern Ireland. Around two-thirds of Northern Ireland's seaborne trade, and a quarter of that for Ireland as a whole is handled at the port, which receives over 6,000 vessels each year. As of the 2021 census , County Antrim had a population of 651,321, making it the most populous county in Northern Ireland, and
456-752: Is considered one of the best traditional climbing and bouldering locations in the British Isles, and is one of the biggest expanses of climbable rock in Northwest Europe. It has one of the largest concentration of extreme-graded routes in the British Isles, and has climbs at E9-grade (e.g. Rathlin Effect ), as well as highball problems at E9-grade (e.g. Long runs the Fox ), and bouldering at 8B+ (V14) grade (e.g. Blondie SDS ). The headland of Fair Head rises 200 metres (660 ft) above
513-545: Is considered one of the best climbing venues in the British Isles, and is compared to Stanage for the scale of routes, particularly at E-grade. Fair Head is noted for the variation in its climbing sections from the westerly-facing sea-cliff walls like the Rathlin Wall , to the cold dark mountain-like north faces of White Lightning Amphitheatre and Grey Man's Path , which have been compared to Clogwyn Du'r Arddu . Climbing author David Flanagan called it "the jewel in
570-567: Is largely attributable to the rapid increase of the Catholic population, particularly in the city of Belfast, where they now comprise a plurality of the population, and its surrounding metropolitan area , as well as immigration from other parts of the world following the end of The Troubles and increasing rates of irreligion. In the 2021 UK census in County Antrim: Statistics for 2009–2010 show 1,832 students attending
627-759: Is now western Scotland over the Irish Sea. Dál Riada was ruled by the O'Lynch clan, who were vassals of the Ulidians. Besides the Ulidians and Dál Riada, there were the Dál nAraide of lower County Antrim, and the Cruthin , who were pre-Gaelic Celts and probably related to the Picts of Britain. Between the 8th and 11th centuries Antrim was exposed to the inroads of the Vikings . In the late 12th century Antrim became part of
SECTION 10
#1732791877185684-700: Is on private property and is part of the McBride family farm, a working farm the McBride family has operated for over three centuries, but access is given. The eastern side of Murlough Bay is part of the National Trust . The McBride's "Sean's Farm" car park is near to the Ballycastle Descent Gully area, while the "National Trust" car park is closer to the Grey Man's Path Gully . From either car park, it takes about 15 minutes to reach
741-412: Is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland , located within the historic province of Ulster . Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh , the county covers an area of 3,086 square kilometres (1,192 sq mi) and has a population of 651,321, as of the 2021 census . County Antrim has a population density of 211 people per square kilometre or 546 people per square mile. It is also one of
798-748: Is part of the following districts: The county contains within it the whole of five parliamentary constituencies : Parts of the following five parliamentary constituencies are also in County Antrim: Places with official city status: (population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census) (population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census) (Population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census) (population of 2,250 or more and under 4,500 at 2001 Census) (Population of 1,000 or more and under 2,250 at 2001 Census) (population of less than 1,000 at 2001 Census) Baronies Parishes Townlands At what date
855-541: Is the L-shaped Rathlin Island , off Ballycastle, 11 km (6.8 mi) in total length by 2 km (1.2 mi) maximum breadth, 7 km (4.3 mi) from the coast, and of similar basaltic and limestone formation to that of the mainland. It is partially arable, and supports a small population. Islandmagee is a peninsula separating Larne Lough from the North Channel . The valleys of
912-715: Is the fifth-largest regional air cargo centre in the UK. There are regular services to Great Britain, Europe and North America. The region is also served by George Best Belfast City Airport , a mile east of Belfast city centre on the County Down side of the city, which was renamed in 2006 in honour of footballer George Best . The main Translink Northern Ireland Railways routes are the major line between Belfast, Antrim, Ballymena , Coleraine and Derry , Belfast to Carrickfergus and Larne ,
969-454: The 2001 , 2011 , and 2021 censuses it is currently one of only two counties of the Island of Ireland in which a plurality or majority of the population are from a Protestant background. The other is County Down to the south. A large portion of Antrim is hilly, especially in the east, where the highest elevations are attained. The range runs north and south, and, following this direction,
1026-518: The Bann and Lagan , with the intervening shores of Lough Neagh , form the fertile lowlands. These two rivers, both rising in County Down, are the only ones of importance. The latter flows to Belfast Lough, the former drains Lough Neagh, which is fed by a number of smaller streams. The fisheries of the Bann and of Lough Neagh (especially for salmon and eels ) are of value both commercially and to sportsmen,
1083-621: The Earldom of Ulster , conquered by Anglo-Norman invaders. A revival of Gaelic power followed the campaign of Edward Bruce in 1315, leaving Carrickfergus as the only significant English stronghold. In the late Middle Ages, Antrim was divided into three parts: northern Clandeboye, the Glynnes and the Route. The Cambro-Norman MacQuillans were powerful in the Route. A branch of the O'Neills of Tirconnell (modern Tyrone) migrated to Clandeboye in
1140-676: The Tudor era (16th century) numerous adventurers from Britain attempted to colonise the region; many Scots settled in Antrim around this time. In 1588 the Antrim coast was the scene of one of the 24 wrecks of the Spanish Armada in 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 is divided into sixteen baronies. Lower Antrim, part of Lower Clandeboye,
1197-638: The 14th century, and ruled it for a time from their castle on Lough Neagh. Their family was called Clandeboye O'Neills. Donald Balloch, who succeeded his father John Mor Macdonald, Lord of Dunyvaig and the Glens, married the daughter of Conn O'Neill of the Clandeboye O'Neills sometime after the Battle of Inverlochy. In 1433, Alexander of Islay, Lord of the Isles, joined with his cousin, Donald Balloch, Conn O'Neill of
SECTION 20
#17327918771851254-404: The Antrim coast are now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Slemish , about eight miles (13 km) east of Ballymena, is notable as being the scene of St Patrick's early life. According to tradition Saint Patrick was a slave for seven years, near the hill of Slemish, until he escaped back to Great Britain. Linen manufacturing was previously an important industry in the county. At
1311-530: The Clandeboye O'Neills, and Eoghan O'Neill, king of Tirowen (modern Tyrone) to defend against an attack on Antrim by the O'Donnells of Tirconnell. Alexander Macdonald led the attack that was successful, so that the O'Donnells became subject to the O'Neills of Tirowen. A Gallowglass sept, the MacDonnells (they were "Macdonalds" in Scotland), became the most powerful in the Glens in the 15th century. During
1368-886: The MacQuillans. Later, the Scottish Gallowglass MacDonnells and MacAlisters invaded. The MacDonnells were a branch of the Scottish Clan MacDonald; the MacAlisters traced their origin back to the Irish Colla Uais, eldest of the Three Collas. Islandmagee had, besides antiquarian remains, a notoriety as a home of witchcraft, and during the Irish Rebellion of 1641 was the scene of an act of reprisal (for
1425-856: The advance of the Irish Army under Richard Hamilton , all of County Antrim was brought under Jacobite control. Later in the year a major expedition from England under Marshal Schomberg landed in Belfast Lough and successfully laid siege to Carrickfergus . Having captured most of the largest towns of the area, they then marched southwards towards Dundalk . The antiquities of the county consist of cairns , mounts or forts, remains of ecclesiastical and military structures, and round towers . There are three round towers: one at Antrim, one at Armoy , and one on Ram's Island in Lough Neagh, only that at Antrim being perfect. There are some remains of
1482-444: The contact. The distinctive columnar jointing of the dolerite rock is the result of stresses caused by the cooling and solidifying of the melt, and there are minor crush zones associated with later compression. Although the cliff face is stable, weathering has periodically toppled some columns producing blocks of massive dimensions on the scree below. Geologists record that even major storms barely disturb these blocks (e.g. unlike
1539-444: The county of Antrim was formed is not known, but it appears that a certain district bore this name before the reign of Edward II (early 14th century), and when the shiring of Ulster was undertaken by Sir John Perrot in the 16th century, Antrim and Down were already recognised divisions, in contradistinction to the remainder of the province. The earliest known inhabitants were Mesolithic hunter-gatherers of pre- Celtic origin, but
1596-570: The cracks involve hand-jamming (and even full-body jamming), and some climbers tape their hands to protect the skin from the "Fair Head rash". Some routes involve off-width or full-width chimneying , which is not often encountered in other Irish crags. As with all Irish crags, Fair Head is a traditional climbing area with no bolted or sport climbing routes allowed; the Mountaineering Ireland guidebook states that any newly placed manufactured bolts will be removed. Fair Head
1653-569: The crown of Irish climbing". Climbing ranked Above and Beyond (E6 6b) in its top-5 E6-grade climbs, and Born to Run E4 (6a, 5c, 5c) in its top-5 E4-grade climbs, in the Brish Isles. Fair Head is one of the largest rock climbing crags in the British Isles, stretching to over 5-kilometers. The individual sections can have a very different feel and character, ranging from dry westerly faces to cold dark northerly faces. The main sectors (and subsectors) are (east to west): Fair Head crag
1710-607: The density of the strewn boulder fields. Rob Hunter, with his wife Veronica, is credited with developing the venue, and their 2012 guidebook listed over 450 routes from grade 3 to 8A+ (V12). In 2020, Hunter created the first 8B+ (V14) route by adding a sit-down-start (SDS) to Dan Varian's problem, Blondie . Classic extreme problems include Varian's Blondie 8B (V13) and Glen Ross 8A+ (V12), which Varian describes as one of his best-ever climbing moments. and also Ricky Bell's Gentleman's Arete 8B (V13), and Spindle SDS 8A (V11) on
1767-532: The distinctive Hanging Rock boulder. Extreme highball bouldering problems include The Big Black (E7 6c), and Ricky Bell's 2015 free solo of the boulder slab Long Runs the Fox (E9 6c) in the Murlough Bay . In 2012, Irish climbing author David Flanagan, ranked Fair Head as one of the best bouldering locations in Ireland, just behind Glendalough in Wicklow. In a 2017 video review for Rock & Ice magazine, British boulder Dan Turner called it one of
Mid Antrim - Misplaced Pages Continue
1824-625: The early 1970s, but development picked up again in the late seventies, led by the husband-and-wife team of Calvin Torrans and Clare Sheridan, and a number of other Dublin climbers. This small band devoted themselves to developing Fair Head, founded the Dal Riada Climbing Club (named after the ancient kingdom which included this area), and acquired a climbing hut nearby to accommodate themselves and other visiting climbers. Fair Head also contains over 511 bouldering problems, with
1881-514: The ecclesiastic establishments at Bonamargy , where the earls of Antrim are buried, Kells , Glenarm, Glynn , Muckamore and Whiteabbey. The castle at Carrickfergus , dating from the Norman invasion of Ireland , is one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland. There are, however, remains of other ancient castles, as Olderfleet , Cam's, Shane's , Glenarm, Garron Tower, Red Bay, and Dunluce Castle , notable for its dramatic location on
1938-458: The finest coast scenery in the world is found, widely differing, with its unbroken lines of cliffs, from the indented coast-line of the west. The most remarkable cliffs are those formed of perpendicular basaltic columns, extending for many miles, and most strikingly displayed in Fair Head and the celebrated Giant's Causeway . From the eastern coast the hills rise instantly but less abruptly, and
1995-416: The highest points are Knocklayd 514 m (1,690 ft), Slieveanorra 508 m (1,670 ft), Trostan 550 m (1,800 ft), Slemish 437 m (1,430 ft), Agnew's Hill 474 m (1,560 ft) and Divis 478 m (1,570 ft). The inland slope is gradual, but on the northern shore the range terminates in abrupt and almost perpendicular declivities, and here, consequently, some of
2052-470: The indentations are wider and deeper. On both coasts there are several resort towns, including Portrush (with well-known golf links), Portballintrae and Ballycastle ; on the east Cushendun , Cushendall and Waterfoot on Red Bay, Carnlough and Glenarm , Larne on the Sea of Moyle , and Whitehead on Belfast Lough. All are somewhat exposed to the easterly winds prevalent in spring. The only island of size
2109-551: The late Middle Ages and some of the O'Haras also migrated from Connaught . Upper and Lower Dunluce were part of the Route, and were ruled by the MacQuillans. Upper and Lower Glenarm was ruled by the O'Flynn/O'Lynn sept, considered part of the Glynns. In addition to that sept and that of O'Quinn, both of which were native, the Scottish Gallowglass septs of MacKeown, MacAlister, and MacGee, are found there. Kilconway
2166-453: The limestone blocks at Ailladie in Clare), and thus the scree may be little changed since the late-glacial period. The 2014 Fair Head guidebook , its 6th edition, lists over 430 routes mostly from grade VS 4b up to E6 6b, and the current climbing databases list over 445 routes at grades up to E9 6c. Fair Head is not regarded as an ideal crag for novice climbers, and the long nature of
2223-465: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mid_Antrim&oldid=932994013 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages County Antrim County Antrim (named after the town of Antrim , from Irish Aontroim , meaning 'lone ridge')
2280-885: The list contains 211 species. Batter's list, of 1902, contained 747 species in his catalogue of British marine algae. Of the freshwater algae there are 10 taxa in the Charophyta ( Charales ) recorded from County Antrim: Chara aspera var. aspera ; Chara globularis var. globularis ; Chara globularis var. virgata ( Kütz. ) R.D.; Chara vulgaris var. vulgaris ; Chara vulgaris var. contraria (A. Braun ex Kütz.) J.A.Moore; Chara vulgaris var. longibracteata (Kütz.) J. Groves & Bullock-Webster; Chara vulgaris var. papillata Wallr. ex A. Braun; Nitella flexilis var. flexilis ; Nitella translucens (Pers.) C.A. Ag. and Tolypella nidifica var. glomerata (Desv.) R.D. Wood. Fair Head Fair Head or Benmore ( Irish : An Bhinn Mhór ; The Great Cliff)
2337-607: The massacre of Protestants ) against the Catholic population by the Scottish Covenanter soldiery of Carrickfergus . In 1689 during the Williamite War in Ireland , County Antrim was a centre of Protestant resistance against the rule of the Catholic James II . During the developing crisis James' garrison at Carrickfergus successfully repulsed an attempt by local Protestants to storm it. After
Mid Antrim - Misplaced Pages Continue
2394-441: The middle of the crag that are far from the two descent gullies, a 100m abseil rope is advised (with a knot tied at the end of it for safety); several of the main routes have large boulders or metal stakes as abseil points. Climbers can stay at the crag in "Sean's Farm", where the McBride family offer basic temporary camping and some lodging facilities (including a camping barn) for a fee, while more extensive accommodation, including
2451-586: The names of the townlands or subdivisions, supposed to have been made in the 13th century, are all of Celtic derivation. In ancient times, Antrim was inhabited by a Celtic people called the Darini . In the early Middle Ages, southern County Antrim was part of the Kingdom of Ulidia , ruled by the Dál Fiatach clans Keenan and MacDonlevy/McDunlavey; the north was part of Dál Riada , which stretched into what
2508-555: The north of the outcrop circa 60 million years ago. At the north end of Murlough Bay, a substantial sill (the Binnagapple sill) appears below the main Fair Head sill, separated by 85 metres (279 ft) of Carboniferous shales . Despite the thickness, the heat from the Fair Head sill did not alter the underlying Triassic sandstone , however, shales have been converted to hornfels extending up to 5 metres (16 ft) from
2565-574: The port for Stranraer in Scotland and Coleraine to Portrush . Two of Northern Ireland's main ports are in County Antrim, Larne and Belfast . Ferries sail from Larne Harbour to destinations including Cairnryan in Scotland. The Port of Belfast is Northern Ireland's principal maritime gateway, serving the Northern Ireland economy and increasingly that of the Republic of Ireland . It
2622-619: The routes (averaging over 50 metres, with many up to 100 metres), the requirement for long and intimidating abseils for access in many areas, and the high concentration of E-grade climbs, means that it is ideally a crag for intermediate and even more for expert-level climbers. There have been fatalities at the crag. An annual Fair Head Climbing Meet is held over the first weekend of June for all climbers. The cliffs abound in well-protected steep crack climbing, between one and four pitches in length, with routes that range from under 20 metres (66 ft) to over 100 metres (330 ft). Many of
2679-471: The sea, and extends for over 5 kilometres (3.1 mi). The dolerite rock face is over 100 metres (330 ft) high in places. Wild goats can be seen roaming among the rocks beneath the clifftops, where a walkway called The Grey Man's Path winds around the rugged coastline. From the road above the cliff, a human-made Iron Age island or crannóg can be seen in the middle of a lake, Lough na Cranagh. The lakes are stocked with trout and can be fished during
2736-478: The second-largest county by population on the island of Ireland , second only to County Dublin . A traditionally Protestant-majority county since the Plantation of Ulster by Scottish and English settlers, the 2021 census revealed that those of a Protestant and Other Christian community background were no longer a majority in Antrim, comprising 47.0% of the population, a sharp decline from 75.2% in 1861. This
2793-482: The small town of Toome , at the outflow of the river, being the centre. Immediately below this point lies Lough Beg , the "Small Lake", about 4.5 m (15 ft) lower than Lough Neagh. County Antrim has a number of air, rail and sea links. Northern Ireland's main airport, Belfast International Airport, at Aldergrove, is in County Antrim. Belfast International shares its runways with 38 Brigade Flying Station Aldergrove , which otherwise has its own facilities. It
2850-405: The summer months. All of the land at Fair Head is private farmland, and not owned by the National Trust (who only have a lease on the land to the east of the headland). Access is by the goodwill of local farm owners. Fair Head is the closest headland to Rathlin Island . Fair Head's rock formations appear on the 2nd century Ptolemy's map of Ireland from Ptolemy 's Geography , described as
2907-538: The thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland . The Glens of Antrim offer isolated rugged landscapes, the Giant's Causeway is a unique landscape and a UNESCO World Heritage Site , Bushmills produces whiskey, and Portrush is a popular seaside resort and night-life area. The majority of Belfast , the capital city of Northern Ireland, is in County Antrim, with the remainder being in County Down . According to
SECTION 50
#17327918771852964-492: The time Ireland produced a large amount of flax . Cotton-spinning by jennies was first introduced to Belfast by industrialists Robert Joy and Thomas M'Cabe in 1777; and twenty-three years later it was estimated that more than 27,000 people were employed in the industry within ten miles (16 km) of Belfast. Women were employed in the working of patterns on muslin . Records of the seaweeds of County Antrim were brought together and published in 1907 by J. Adams who notes that
3021-602: The top of the crag. Fair Head's eastern end (the Small Crag , and the Murlough Bay bouldering area) can be approached from the Murlough Bay car park. The two main descent options to the base of the crag by foot are the popular Ballycastle Descent Gully , and the less popular Grey Man's Path Gully . Walking along the base of the Fair Head crag for any distance is not recommended as the terrain makes it time-consuming and very unpleasant, and therefore for routes in
3078-466: The twelve Gaelscoileanna (Irish language primary schools) and one Gaelcholáiste (Irish language secondary school). The county was administered by Antrim County Council from 1899 until the abolition of county councils in Northern Ireland in 1973. The traditional county town is Antrim . More recently, Ballymena was the seat of county government. From 1973 Northern Ireland was split into districts , which were redrawn in 2015. County Antrim
3135-486: The various sills from the plateau lavas of northeast Ireland. A sill is a tabular body of what was once molten rock that was injected into horizontal rocks (usually well-bedded sedimentary strata). Fair Head's sill is 85 metres (279 ft) thick at its maximum, and consists of columnar-jointed dolerite rock (a medium-grained igneous rock compositionally equivalent to finer-grained basalt ) showing crystals of olivine , that intruded into Carboniferous sediments in
3192-404: Was originally O'Flynn/O'Lynn territory, but was held by the MacQuillans as part of the Route, and later by the gallowglass sept of MacNeill. Lower Massereene was part of Lower Clandeboye and was ruled by the O'Flynns and the O'Heircs. Upper Massereene was part of Lower Clandeboye, ruled by the O'Heircs. Upper and Lower Toome, part of the Route, were O'Flynn/O'Lynn territory. Misc was first ruled by
3249-459: Was settled by the sept O'Flynn/O'Lynn. Upper Antrim, part of Lower Clandeboye, was the home of the O'Keevans. Belfast was part of Lower Clandeboye and was held by the O'Neill-Clannaboys. Lower Belfast, Upper Belfast, and Carrickfergus were also part of Lower Clandeboye. Cary was part of the Glynnes; ruled originally by the O'Quinn sept, the MacDonnell galloglasses from Scotland took power here in
#184815