parks antrim

A Round Tower on a point at the entrance to the seaport, looking exactly like one of Ireland's medieval monastic towers is 92 ft high and built of granite. It commemorates James Chaine MP 'father of the port' who (as the inscription says) linked Larne with the United States.

On the Curran point, where the Stone Age flint implements may still be found, stands the shell of Olderfleet Castle, a 13th century ruin.

The construction of the famous Antrim Coast Road is explained a...

Mixed conifer forest with broadleaves. Deer enclosure and herd of wild fallow deer. Wildfowl hide on Lough Neagh Shore. National nature Reserve....

The City of Belfast International Rose Trials are held here. Japanese garden. Play area, restaurant....

The forest covers an area of 336 hectares and lies over two hills. Tardee (247 metres) and Carnearny (323 metres) with a shallow connecting valley. It is one of the older state forests being first planted in 1929. Prior to its afforestation the land was maintained by Lord Massereene for grazing and shooting. Today the forest is intensively utilised. Much of the first tree crop has been harvested and wood production has averaged 1500 toones per year over the last twenty years. The forest...

Cascading down from the Antrim Plateau to the sea, the Glenariff River has cut a narrow gorge through the hard basalt rock. Spectacular waterfalls within the gorge throw up fine spray which catches shafts of sunlight in a rainbow of colours. About 100 years ago, trees were planted to enhance the native woodland of oak, hazel, ash and willow, and to make the area more attractive to visitors. Catwalks, paths and footbridges were built throughout the gorge to make the waterfalls easier to reach....

Historically Ballyboley has been used by man since early times and there is still the remains of a 'Boley House' in the south-west corner of the forest which was used when the cattle were brought up the hill for summer grazing. Today it is a good example of multiple land-use with its large catchment area supplying water to the surrounding communities and the forest with its 673 hectares growing raw material for the saw mills. The forest was first planted in 1957....

Miced conifer forest on slopes of Knocklayd Mountain. Magnificent views over town to Rathlin Island and Scotland....

In the Glen of Glenariff lies one of the most popular Forest Parks in the country, while at the coast is the golden one mile (1.5 Km) curve of Waterfoot Beach. The river flowing down the valley is fed by streams which fall hundreds of metres over the cliffs. Is it any wonder visitors have been coming for over a century to this jewel of the North?...

Mixed conifer forest with broadleaves on banks of Glenarm River...

Glenariff Forest Park covers an area of 1185 hectares of which about 250 hectares have been left open for recreation, landscaping and conservation. In the park are two small rivers containing spectacular waterfalls, tranquil pools and stretches of fast flowing water tumbling through rocky gorges.
There's a café, toilets, and an exhibition centre. Four way-marked trails of varying length (1-9 km) wind through the forest leading you into some of the park's most beautiful wooded areas....