THE NINE GLENS OF ANTRIM - Ballycastle to Glenarm

GENERAL ORIENTATION

From Ballycastle to Glenarm the magnificent Glens of Antrim slowly infold along 50 miles of stunning coastline where alternating sandy bays and rocky shores contrast with high cliffs and forbidding headlands.

To the west, the high Antrim plateau is deeply dissected by steep sided glens and rushing rivers.

Follow the A2 route along the coastline and choose where to stop and where to take an excursion into the hills.

XGLENTAISIE XGLENSHESK

Roughly south of Ballycastle, the Glen of Taise On the eastern flank of Knocklayde, Glenshesk named after an Ulster princess who married Congal (The Sedgy Glen) is a steep sided glen that the son of the King of Ulster. commands some of the best views of Rathlin Island from the high road that runs the entire length of the Small hills and drumlins cover the length of this glen from Ballycastle to Breen Wood. Glen as it sweeps down the western side of Knocklayde to Ballycastle. Features include the The lower road runs from Ballycastle crossing the remains of 2 motte forts, standing stones, and impressive high arch of the Glenshesk Bridge. remnants of the narrow guage railway that ran from Ballymoney to Ballycastle. At the foot of the glen are the fine ruins of Bonamargy Friary, a Franciscan Friary dating to the late 15th century. Further up the glen at Drumeeny is the site of an ancient church attributed to St. Goban who is believed to have originated from the Glenshesk Bridge Glenshesk area.

Breen Wood is the remains of an oak forest that would have once covered the glen. There is a small but very scenic road from Ballycastle to Breen Wood from where you can follow a scenic route along the eastern side of Knocklayde with panoramic views of Rathlin Island or follow the road to Glenshesk. THE NINE GLENS OF ANTRIM - Ballycastle to Glenarm

XGLENDUN XGLENAAN XGLENARIFF

Glendun – Glen of the Brown River – is a Glenaan stretches from Aghan mountain The ‘Queen of the Glens’, Glenariff. Is a beautiful and varied glen descending from and sweeps down between Tievebulliagh perfectly formed U-shaped valley with the slopes of Slieveanorra mountain past and Corocknacreeva to merge into rock precipes rising to wild moorland on deciduous woodlands to the coast at Glencorp. It is beautiful glen in summer both sides. Cushendun. when the bolloms of red fuschia line the road. In the Glen lies Glenariff Forst Park while There is a small road that follows the at the foot is Waterfoot Beach, a mile entire length of the glen from Cushendun The most famous landmark in the glen is curve of golden sand. The town of to Bryvore bridge. the grave of Oisín, the son of Finn Waterfoot (also known as Glenariff). McCool. Oisín (pronounced ‘usheen’ or ‘osheen’) married Niamh and went to live in Tír na n’Óg – the land of the ever young – but returned homesick with a warning to never touch the ground. He discovered that 300 years had past and none of his family or friends remained. As he wandered on his horse the girth broke in Gleaan and he fell to the ground and died.

The Charles Lanyon viaduct spans the There are several routes off the main A43 glen (on the main Cushendall-Ballycastle and A2 from Waterfoot. road).

XGLENCLOY XGLENCORP The ‘Glen of the Hedges’ takes its name The ‘Glen of the Slaughter’ runs between from the stone ditches on the upper glen Glenaan and Glendun parallel with the and on Garron Mountain. Some of these main road from Cushedun to Cushendall. ditches have been shown to date from the Bronze Age.

The Cushendall-Ballymoney mountain Doonan waterfall, 2 miles up the glen road runs through Glenaan. from Carnlough has impressive views as does nearby Doonan Leap viewpoint. Behind is Doonan Fort, built over 1200 years ago in the early Chritian era.

XGLENBALLYEMON

Edwardstown Glen is a particularly good glen for waterfalls, especially after a A high road known as the Ballybrack period of rainfall. Road follows the glen higher up along the side of Slieve Cross, passing the fairy hill Cushendall lies at the foot of the glen and of Tierverah before descending steeply there is a loop road from there. The village of Carnlough lies at the foot of into Cushendall. the Glen on the main A2 route. From Carn-La, one story is that St. Patrick founded a Christian movement in the area and left a local lad by the name of La in charge.

XGLENARM

The ‘Glen of the Army’ is the last of the Glens near the village of the same name. Glenarm Forest Park is an 800-acre nature preserve once part of the demense of Glenarm Castle, now dedicated for public use as a peaceful sanctuary and woodland trail.