parks antrim

The urban enviroment is an important part of Belfast's heritage and is enhanced by the unique blend of features and characters of the city many parks, old and new, large and small Annual events promote interest and activity in the parks, and include lectures, demonstrations, guided walks, bus tours, band performances, children's aciivities, outdoor summer schemes, educational programmes and major events such as Rose Week and the Spring and Autumn Flower Shows....

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

Attractive riverside walks beside the Bann. Augustine Henry Commemorative Grove. Bluebells a feature during May....

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

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...

20 acres of parkland with riverside walks, trim trail, boating lake, children's play area, toilets and facilities for canoeing, picnicing, transit caravans and car parking....

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....

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