ANTRIM. 



ANTRIM. 



390 





as ' the Glens.' Owing to the close approach of the waters' bed to the 

 sea-line, the river-courses towards the Irish Channel are short, and 

 the streams inconsiderable. The principal rivers are the Bush, which 

 discharges itself into the Atlantic below Bushmills, and the Main and 

 Six-Mile Water, which flow into Lough Neagh, in the interior, near 

 Randalstown and the town of Antrim respectively. The waters of 

 Lough Neagh are discharged by the Lower Bann, a large river which 

 flows from south to north nearly parallel to but in a reverse direction 

 from the Main, from the valley of which it is separated by a range of 

 hilly uplands. On the northern and western slope of these uplands, 

 towards the Bann, is situated Ballymoney ; and on the eastern side, in 

 a central and sheltered spot, near the confluence of the Braid Kiver, 

 which runs westward from the hilla above Glenarm into the Main, is 

 Ballymena. The principal drainage of the southern part of the county 

 flows into Lough Neagh by the Crumlin and Glenavy rivers, which 

 run westward from the heights above Belfast. This range of lofty hills 

 extends, with only two lateral valleys, from the extreme south of the 

 county, near Lisburn, along the coast-line of Belfast Lough to Carrick- 

 fergus, and terminates at Island Magee, a peninsular district, forming 

 the land-locked harbour of Lame Lough, in a range of sea-cliffs called 

 the Gobbins. The general elevation of this chain is 800 feet to 1000 

 feet. The communication of Belfast with the western interior district 

 of the county is by the high road by way of Whitehouse; with the 

 northern districts by the Belfast and Ballymena railway by way of 

 White Abbey. The Ulster railway following the valley of the Lagan, 

 and the Lagan Navigation Canal, constitute the means of communi- 

 cation for Belfast with the southern parts of the county. 



Geology, Mineralogy, <tc. The geological structure of Antrim is 

 peculiar. The surface is almost wholly composed of trap, which, with 

 the exception of a patch of porphyry yielding a fine white building 

 stone north of the town of Antrim, extends on both sides of the Bann 

 from the valley of the Roe Hiver in Londonderry on the west, to the 

 coast-line of the Irish Channel and Lough of Belfast and the valley of 

 the Lagan on the east and south. The trap is throughout supported 

 on a bed of indurated chalk, which reposes on a stratum of green- 

 sand. The greenaand rests on new red sandstone, and the new red 

 sandstone on mica-slate, which underlies the whole. It would appear 

 that the intermediate strata had been kept in their places by the weight 

 or connection with the lower rocks of the superjacent trap ; for, outside 

 the field described, the mica-slate appears at the surface throughout the 

 west of Londonderry, and in a tract at the north-eastern extremity of 

 Antrim. The trap-field rises on both sides from the valley of the 

 Bann, and its edges present the same characteristic scarped outlines, 

 and the same succession of strata, towards the valley of the Roe, the 

 Atlantic, and the North Channel, and Lough of Belfast. It is thi.s 

 succession of various-coloured horizontal strata, which present also 

 different slopes of escarpment, that gives the peculiar beauty to the 

 scenery on the north coast of this county. At a part of the coast 

 about midway between Ballycastle and the embouchure of the Bann, 

 the trap assumes a highly crystalline character, and dips to the sea hi 

 the mass of basaltic columns known as the Giant's Causeway, justly 

 regarded as one of the most perfect examples of columnar basalt in 

 the world. The scientific interest of the scene is enhanced by its 

 beauty, owing partly to the terraced form of the escarpments and 

 partly to the great richness and variety of the colouring. The latter 

 effect is heightened by the cropping out of numerous horizontal beds 

 of wood-coal and ochre, which with the dark basalt, the white chalk, 

 and the green and red sandstones, impart a character to the scenery 

 that is as peculiar as it is beautiful. Behind these bold and diversified 

 sea-cliffs the surface is bare and unmarked by any fine feature either 

 of outline or cultivation a contrast which still further adds to the 

 charm of the coast scenery. The indications of coal along the cliffs 

 proceed from a considerable field of lignite or wood-coal which sur- 

 rounds the insulated basaltic mass of Ben-more or Fair Head. The 

 coal was formerly raised on the north side of Fair Head ; it is now 

 profitably worked at Murlough Bay on the south side of that remarkable 

 headland. In 1853 a salt-mine was found at Red Hall, a few miles 

 north-east of Carrickfergus, near where a small stream enters a natural 

 basin and disappears. This spot bore the name of the Salt Hole. 



Soil, Agriculture. the soil along the valley of the Lagan, and in 

 other places where a mixture of the debris of the various rocks has 

 taken place, is rich and capable of producing good wheat crops ; but 

 throughout the trap district, or over nine-tenths of the surface of the 

 county, it is light, and better adapted for oats and barley. In 1851 

 there were in the county under crop 286, 147 acres, of which 9938 grew 

 wheat ; 98,594 oatg ; 1696 barley, bere, and rye ; 4614 peas and beans; 

 41,013 potato**; 13,302 turnips; 897 mangel-wurzel, carrots, parsnips, 

 and cabbage; 1845 vetches and other green crops; 64 rape; 11,912 

 flax ; and 52,272 were in meadow and clover. The holdings in 1851 

 amounted to 22,850, but the stock-holders numbered 24,898. The 

 tock was 27,673 horses, 450 mules and asses, 131,818 cattle, 42,361 

 theep, 43,528 pigs, 1054 deer, 1608 goats, and 237,059 head of poultry. 

 The farm* are in general small, owina; chiefly to the variety of employ- 

 nfenU afforded to the peasantry by the different branches of the linen j 

 trade. Since the failure of the potato, and changes in the laws 

 affecting agricultural produce, the population, who unite manufacturing 

 with agricultural pursuits, have had increased employment in weaving, 

 and withstood the pressure of general scarcity without any considerable [ 



addition to the poor-rates. The fishery is carried on in the two districts 

 of Ballycastle and Carrickfergus, and includes 121 miles of maritime 

 boundaries ; in 1850 there were engaged 1025 registered fishing vessels, 

 employing 3115 men and boys. 



JJiviaion, Towns, &c. Antrim is divided into 14 baronies ; Lower 

 and Upper Dunluce and Carey, on the north; Lower and Upper 

 Glenarm, on the east ; Kilconway and Lower and Upper Toome towards 

 the Bann ; Lower and Upper Antrim in the centre ; Lower and Upper 

 Massareene towards Lough Neagh ; and Lower and Upper Belfast, 

 with the county of the town of Carrickfergus, towards Belfast Lough 

 and the Lagan. ' 



The principal towns are ANTRIM, BALLYMENA, BELFAST, CABRICK- 

 FEBODS, LARNE, and LISBURN, which will be found noticed under their 

 respective headings. The following are the other towns, the popula- 

 tions given being those of 1851 : 



BALLYCASTLE. 



Sallydare, population 940, about 8 miles E.N.E. from Antrim, 

 is a market and post-town, situated on the Six-mile Water, about 

 half-way between Antrim and Larne. There are in the town 

 chapels for Presbyterians, belonging to the Presbyterian Church in 

 Ireland, the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Presbytery of Antrim, 

 and the Remonstrant Synod of Ulster. Monthly markets for the sale 

 of linen are held here; also fairs in January, May, July, August, 

 October, and November. 



BALLYMONEY. 



Broiiglahane, population 974, is a small town situated on the Braid 

 rivulet, about 3 miles N.E. by E. from Ballymeua, on the road to 

 Glenarm. The linen manufacture employs some of the inhabitants. 

 There are here a chapel for Presbyterians and a National school. 

 Fairs are held on the 17th June and 1st September. The extensive 

 park and mansion of Tullamore Lodge are close to the town. 



Bushmills, population 987, a small market and post-town, about 

 6 miles N. from Ballymoney, has been considerably improved of late 

 years, chiefly in consequence of the exertions of Sir F. W. M'Naughten, 

 Bart. The town possesses a court-house, a dispensary, a factory for 

 spades and shovels, and an extensive distillery. The Episcopalians, 

 Presbyterians, Wesleyau Methodists, and Roman Catholics have places 

 of worship ; and there are National and Wesleyan schools, and a school 

 supported from Erasmus Smith's foundation. Petty sessions are held 

 here monthly. Fan's are held in March, June, October, and December. 

 In the vicinity are numerous good mansions. 



. Crumlin, population 898, a small market and post-town on the river 

 Crumlin, about 10 miles W. by N. from Belfast, is neatly and regularly 

 built, chiefly in two streets, the longest and most spacious of which is 

 parallel with the river. The Presbyterians and Roman Catholics have 

 places of worship, and there is a dispensary of the Antrim Poor-Law 

 Union. Fairs are hekl here on the first Monday in each month, except 

 September ; and petty sessions are held monthly. On the river, near 

 the town, are extensive flour-mills, and in the vicinity are numerous 

 good family mansions. 



OutftendaU, population 527, a small market and post-town, is situated 

 on the river Dail, near the shore of Red Bay, about 10 miles N.N.W. 

 from Glenarm, on the coast-road usually followed by visitors to the 

 Giant's Causeway. It is neatly built and picturesquely situated, 

 having some very high hills in the vicinity. There are several remains 

 of ancient buildings and encampments. In the middle of the town 

 is a jail, surmounted by a tall square tapering tower. A market for 

 linen yarn is held weekly. Eight fairs are held in the course of the 

 year. Petty sessions are held monthly. There are here a dispensary 

 of the Ballycastle Poo'r-Law Union, and a loan-fund office. 



Glenarm, population 951, situated on the shore of Glenarm Bay, at 

 the mouth of the Glenarm rivulet, about 8 miles N.N.W. from Larne, 

 is a market and post-town, and is much frequented hy visitors for 

 bathing. It occupies the bottom of a deep and retired glen. The 

 rivulet is crossed by a handsome stone bridge. On one side of the 

 rivulet is the town, neatly built, and containing chapels for Presby- 

 terians and Roman Catholics ; on the other side are the parish church 

 and Glenarm Castle, the spacious mansion of the Earl of Antrim. 

 There is a good export trade from Glenarm harbour. In the neigh- 

 bourhood are salt-works and lime-quarries. There is here a station of 

 the coast-guard. Petty sessions are held monthly : fairs are held on 

 May 26th and October 29th. 



Partglenone, population 842, a small market and post-town, situated 

 on the right bank of the river Bann, about 7 miles W. by N. from 

 Ballymena, contains several well-built houses, and carries on some 

 linen weaving. There is a small carrying trade on the river Bann ; 

 the river is crossed at the town by a handsome bridge of recent erection. 

 Petty sessions are held monthly : fairs on the first Tuesday of each 

 month, and on the second Tuesday after the llth of May. 



Portruth. [CoLERAINE.] 



Randalstown, population 749, a market-town pleasantly situated on 

 the river Main near its embouchure in Lough Neagh, about 4 miles 

 W. from Antrim, contains some well-built dwelling houses, a parish 

 church, three chapels for Presbyterians, a chapel for Roman Catholics, 

 a handsome market-house with an assembly-room above, a dispensary 

 for the Antrim Poor-Law Union, and a barrack. A parade for the 

 military in front of the barrack is now the town walk or promenade. 

 Cotton-spinning and calico-weaving employ some of the inhabitants. 



