Antrim, County Antrim

According to tradition, a monastery was founded at Antrim in AD 495, thirty years after the death of Saint Patrick, to take forward his ministry, with a small settlement growing up around it. The round tower (see below), also known as "the Steeple", is all that remains.{{cite book|last=Hanna|first=John|title=Old Antrim|year=2002|publisher=Stenlake Publishing|location=Catrine, Ayrshire|isbn=9781840331868|page=3|url=http://www.stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=247|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825111016/http://stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=247|archive-date=25 August 2015}} The original name of Antrim was {{lang|ga|Aontreibh}}, Irish for 'lone house', referring to the monks' house. This later became or was reinterpreted, as {{lang|ga|Aontroim}} ('lone ridge').{{cite web |title=Antrim, Co Antrim |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734%3A22426 |website=Northern Ireland Place-Names Project}}

In the early Middle Ages, the area was part of the Gaelic territory of Dál Araide, which covered much of what is now County Antrim.Boyd, Hugh Alexander. [http://antrimhistory.net/irish-dalriada-by-hugh-alexander-boyd/ Irish Dalriada]. The Glynns: Journal of The Glens of Antrim Historical Society. Volume 76 (1978). At the eastern edge of town is a ringfort called Rathmore ({{lang|ga|Ráth Mór}}, 'great fort'), which was the royal residence of the kings of Dál Araide.{{cite web |title=Rathmore, Co Antrim |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734%3A22426%2CdataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_7367%3A28506%2CdataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_9110%3A500 |website=Northern Ireland Place-Names Project}}

In the late 12th century, the area was conquered by Anglo-Normans led by John de Courcy, becoming part of the Earldom of Ulster. They built a motte-and-bailey castle at Antrim. Its mound (motte) still stands in Antrim Castle Gardens.Crothers, Norman, and Audrey Gahan. "[http://www.jstor.org/stable/20568273 Archaeological Excavations at Market Square, Antrim]". Ulster Journal of Archaeology, vol. 60, 2001, pp. 94–111.

The Anglo-Norman earldom collapsed in the early 14th century and Antrim became part of the Gaelic territory of Clannaboy. During the late Middle Ages, the O'Neill chiefs of Clannaboy were based at Edenduffcarrick castle (later called Shane's Castle), two miles west of Antrim.

Following the Nine Years' War (1593–1603), Antrim came under English control. The area was then colonized by English and Scottish settlers as part of the Plantation of Ulster. Hugh Clotworthy, the father of the Anglo-Irish politician John Clotworthy, 1st Viscount Massereene, supervised the building of Antrim Castle, a fortified mansion beside the old Norman motte. Hugh was knighted in 1617 and appointed High Sheriff of County Antrim. In 1642, during the Irish Confederate Wars, Clotworthy's fleet fought a naval engagement on Lough Neagh.{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Antrim (town)|display=Antrim|volume=2|page=154}}

The Society of United Irishmen launched a rebellion in 1798, which began in Leinster and quickly spread to Ulster. The United Irishmen had been founded in 1791 by liberal Protestants in Belfast. Its goal was to unite Catholics and Protestants and to end British monarchical rule over Ireland and to found a sovereign, independent Irish republic. Although its membership was mainly Catholic, many of its leaders and members in northeast Ulster were Protestant Presbyterians. On 7 June 1798, about 4,000 United Irishmen led by Henry Joy McCracken attacked the town. The rebels were on the verge of taking the town until British reinforcements arrived. Thanks to a rebel band led by James Hope, most of the United Irishmen were able to withdraw safely. This is known as the Battle of Antrim.

Before the Act of Union, the parliamentary borough of Antrim returned two members to the Irish House of Commons by virtue of letters patent granted in 1666 by Charles II. It was disenfranchised in 1801.

Steeple House, a substantial 18th-century mansion which was home to the Clark family and then became the headquarters of Antrim Borough Council, was destroyed in a fire in July 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/watch-18th-century-antrim-mansion-gutted-by-deliberate-blaze-38273776.html|title=Watch: 18th century Antrim mansion gutted by deliberate blaze|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|date=2 July 2019|access-date=22 May 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/steeple-house-antrim-fire-sad-16517430|title=Steeple House Antrim fire "sad day and great loss" as historic building destroyed|newspaper=Belfast Live|date=2 July 2019|access-date=22 May 2021}}

{{see also|UDA South East Antrim Brigade}}

There were several incidents in and around Antrim during the Troubles including, in 1976, when six civilians (5 Protestants and one Catholic) were shot and killed during a UVF gun attack on the Ramble Inn pub near Antrim.{{cite web|url = https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1976.html | website = cain.ulst.ac.uk | publisher = CAIN Archive – Conflict and Politics in Northern Ireland | title = Chronological List of Deaths – 1976 | accessdate = 29 December 2021 }}

As with the rest of Northern Ireland, Antrim experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. The nearest official Met Office weather station for which online records are available is at Belfast International Airport,{{Cite web | publisher = MetOffice | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/ni/images/locations.jpg | title = Station Locations |url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121006020941/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/ni/images/locations.jpg | archive-date = 6 October 2012 }} under 4 miles to the south of the town centre.

In a typical year the warmest day should reach a temperature of {{convert|25.4|C|F}}{{cite web

|url = http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=TXx&stationid=1640

|title = Annual average warmest day

|access-date = 22 September 2011

|url-status = live

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111107015852/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=TXx&stationid=1640

|archive-date = 7 November 2011

}} and 2.1 days{{cite web

|url = http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=SU&stationid=1640

|title = >25c days

|access-date = 22 September 2011

|url-status = live

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111106190804/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=SU&stationid=1640

|archive-date = 6 November 2011

}} should attain a temperature of {{convert|25.1|C|F}} or above in total.

The coldest night of the year averages {{convert|-6.6|C|F}}{{cite web

|url = http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=TNn&stationid=1640

|title = >Annual average coldest night

|access-date = 22 September 2011

|url-status = live

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111107015847/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=TNn&stationid=1640

|archive-date = 7 November 2011

}} and 39 nights should register an air frost.{{cite web

|url = http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=FD&stationid=1640

|title = >Average frost incidence

|access-date = 22 September 2011

|url-status = live

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111107015840/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=FD&stationid=1640

|archive-date = 7 November 2011

}} The absolute minimum temperature of {{convert|-14.2|C|F}} was reported during the record cold spell of December 2010.{{cite web

|url = http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2010/12/21/freezing-conditions-continue/

|title = >2010 minimum

|date = 21 December 2010

|access-date = 22 September 2011

|url-status = live

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718102841/http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2010/12/21/freezing-conditions-continue/

|archive-date = 18 July 2011

}} In total during that month 10 nights fell to {{convert|-10.0|C|F}} or below, and the 21st recorded a daytime maximum of just {{convert|-7.7|C|F}}

{{Belfast Airport weatherbox}}

On census day (21 March 2021) there were 25,606 people living in Antrim.{{cite web |title=Census 2021 estimates that classify People at Settlement 2015 level |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000001 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}} Of these:

• 21.23% were aged under 16, 64.35% were aged between 16 and 65, and 14.41% were aged 66 and over.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for your table {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=AGE_BAND_AGG3&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000001 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}
• 51.2% of the usually resident population were female, and 48.8% were male.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Sex (MS-A07) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=UR_SEX&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000001 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}
• 48.28% belong to or were brought up in a Protestant or other Christian related background, 34.55% were brought up in a Catholic background, 2.3% belong to or were brought up in an 'other religion', and 14.87% didn't adhere to or weren't brought up in any religion.{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000001 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}
• 54.09% indicated that they had a British national identity,{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000001 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}} 36.12% had a Northern Irish national identity{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000001 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}} and 14.66% had an Irish national identity{{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000001 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}} (respondents could indicate more than one national identity).
• 9.25% had some knowledge of Ulster Scots and 5.23% had some knowledge of the Irish language.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Knowledge of Ulster-Scots (MS-B08) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=ULSTER_SCOTS_SKILLS_INTERMEDIATE&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000001 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Knowledge of Irish (MS-B05) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=IRISH_SKILLS_INTERMEDIATE&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000001 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}

On census day (27 March 2011) there were 23,375 people living in Antrim, accounting for 1.29% of the NI total,{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Antrim@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Antrim@23? | title = Census 2011 Population Statistics for Antrim Settlement | publisher = Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) | access-date = 10 August 2019}} representing an increase of 16.9% on the census 2001 population of 20,001.{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/PivotGrid.aspx?ds=4840&lh=69&yn=2001&sk=135&sn=Census%202001&yearfilter=2001 | title = Census 2001 Usually Resident Population: KS01 (Settlements) – Table view | page = 1 | publisher = Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) | access-date = 10 August 2019}} Of these:

• 21.47% were aged under 16 years and 13.33% were aged 65 and over.
• 48.72% of the usually resident population were male and 51.28% were female.
• 54.80% belong to or were brought up in a Protestant or other Christian related background and 34.12% were brought up in a Catholic background.
• 61.47% indicated that they had a British national identity, 30.76% had a Northern Irish national identity and 11.56% had an Irish national identity (respondents could indicate more than one national identity).
• 35 years was the average (median) age of the population.
• 8.43% had some knowledge of Ulster Scots and 5.20% had some knowledge of the Irish language.

File:RoundTowerAntrim3.jpg]]

File:Antrim Masonic Hall - geograph.org.uk - 76301.jpg

• Shane's Castle and Antrim Castle
• In the north of the town is one of the most perfect of the round towers of Ireland, 93 feet high and 50 feet in circumference at the base. It stands in the grounds of Steeple, where there is also the "Witches' Stone", a prehistoric monument.
• There was a Castle, near the Six Mile Water, which was destroyed in a fire in 1922. All that remains is an octagonal tower.
• The river allowed the linen industry to be established. The linen industry has been replaced by a Technology Park, the only one in Northern Ireland.
• Antrim Market House is a 2–story building, nine bays long, three deep built in 1726. Formerly a Court House, it has recently been refurbished and is currently used as a tourist information centre and has a small theatre and café.
• The Castle Grounds, that is beside the Antrim Castle.
• The Springfarm Rath

File:Ballast Train, Antrim.JPG on Northern Ireland Railways.]]

Antrim railway station was opened on 11 April 1848, and closed for goods traffic in 1965.{{cite web|url=https://www.airqualityni.co.uk/assets/documents/195121003_2853_Antrim_BC_USA_2012.pdf|title=Review and Assessment of air quality in the Borough of Antrim|publisher=Antrim Borough Council|page=40|access-date=28 November 2022}}

Served by passenger trains on the Belfast-Derry railway line are run by Northern Ireland Railways.

Antrim's Aldergrove Airport known as Belfast International Airport is the largest airport in Northern Ireland, serving destinations in Britain, Europe and North America. However, Aldergrove does not have a proper Airport rail link connection.

File:Junction One Retail Park (2), August 2009.JPG

The Junction, formerly Junction One (named after junction 1 of the nearby M22 Motorway), is a retail park in the area with restaurants and a hotel.{{cite web |title=Visitor Information |url=https://www.thejunctionshopping.com/visitorinformation/ |website=The Junction Retail and Leisure Park |access-date=14 May 2022}} Supermarkets serving the town include an Asda store, Lidl outlet, Tesco Extra, and Iceland store.{{Citation needed|date=November 2018}} Castle Mall, formerly known as the Castle Centre, is located on High Street in the town.

Junior schools serving the area include Antrim Primary School,{{cite web |title=In the classroom |url=https://www.antrimprimary.co.uk/in-the-classroom/ |website=Antrim Primary School |access-date=14 May 2022}} Ballycraigy Primary School,{{cite web|title=Ballycraigy Primary School|url=https://ballycraigyprimary.org.uk/|access-date=4 June 2019}} Greystone Primary School,{{cite web |title=Greystone Primary School |url=https://www.greystoneprimary.com/ |website=Greystone Primary School |access-date=14 May 2022}} St Comgall's Primary School,{{cite web|title=St. Comgall's Primary School|url=http://stcomgalls.co.uk|access-date=26 November 2018}} and St Joseph's Primary School.{{cite web|title=St. Joseph's Primary School|url=http://www.stjosephsps.org/|access-date=26 November 2018}}

The secondary schools are Antrim Grammar School{{cite web |title=Antrim Grammar School |url=https://www.antrimgrammar.org/ |website=Antrim Grammar School |access-date=14 May 2022}} and Parkhall College.{{cite web |title=Parkhall Integrated College |url=https://parkhallintegratedcollege.org/ |website=Parkhall Integrated College |access-date=14 May 2022}} In addition, St Benedict's College, Randalstown attracts students from Antrim.{{cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.stbenedictscollege.co.uk/site?lightbox=dataItem-kkpi0ic9 |website=St. Benedict's College |access-date=19 February 2024}}

The Greenmount campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is near Antrim.{{cite web |title=College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise |url=https://www.cafre.ac.uk/ |website=College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise |access-date=14 May 2022}}

The local Gaelic Athletic Association club is Naomh Comhghall CLG (St. Comgalls Antrim).{{cite web|url=http://stcomgalls.gaa.ie/|title=St. Comgalls Antrim – CLG Naomh Comhghall|website=St. Comgalls Antrim|access-date=9 May 2018|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322114036/http://stcomgalls.gaa.ie/|archive-date=22 March 2018}} The association football club, Chimney Corner F.C., plays its home games in Allen Park on Castle Road. Other Antrim sports clubs include Antrim Hockey Club and Muckamore Cricket Club.

{{See also|Category:People from Antrim, County Antrim}}

• Mark Allen (born 1986) – snooker player{{cite news|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/snooker/mark-allen-opens-up-embarrassing-25247324|title=Mark Allen opens up on "embarrassing" bankruptcy nightmare|date=12 October 2022|newspaper=Belfast Live|access-date=28 November 2022}}
• Declan Kearney (born 1964) – Sinn Féin politician, MLA{{cite web|url=https://www.sinnfein.ie/declan-kearney|title= Declan Kearney|publisher= Sinn Féin |access-date=28 November 2022}}
• Thomas McCord (1750–1824) – businessman and politician in Lower Canada{{cite web|url=https://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/deputes/mccord-thomas-4421/biographie.html|title=Thomas McCord|publisher=National Assembly of Quebec| access-date=28 November 2022}}
• Eva McGown (1883–1972) – Official Hostess of Fairbanks and Honorary Hostess of AlaskaUniversity of Alaska. (n.d.) [http://www.alaska.edu/opa/eInfo/index.xml?StoryID=266 "The Eva McGown Room."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050219213714/http://www.alaska.edu/opa/eInfo/index.xml?StoryID=266 |date=2005-02-19 }} UA Highlights: The People Behind Campus Names. Fairbanks, AK: University of Alaska. Reprinted from the Nanook News (student newspaper of University of Alaska Fairbanks), 14 May 1971. Retrieved on 2007-06-08.
• Joseph Stephenson-Jellie (1874–1960) – cricketer{{cite web |title=Joseph Stephenson-Jellie |url=https://www.wisden.com/players/joseph-stephenson-jellie-33431/cricket-news |access-date=22 March 2025 |publisher=Wisden}}
• Josh Rock (born 2001) – darts player{{cite news|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/josh-rock-hits-nine-dart-25545541|title=Josh Rock hits nine-dart leg in Grand Slam of Darts thriller|date=17 November 2022|newspaper=Belfast Live| access-date=28 November 2022}}

• List of localities in Northern Ireland by population
• Market houses in Northern Ireland
• List of civil parishes of County Antrim

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080210011323/http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=16&to=311&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Antrim on the Culture Northern Ireland website.]

{{Wikivoyage|Antrim (town)}}

{{Commons category|Antrim, County Antrim}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110417044846/http://www.in-antrim.com/ Antrim Community Website]

{{NorthernIrishTowns}}

{{County Antrim}}

{{authority control}}

Category:County towns in Northern Ireland

Category:Towns in County Antrim

Category:Civil parishes of County Antrim