County Antrim - Environment

Here's a selection of Antrim Environment. Click on the 'Go to ALL' link to get the full list.

1. Tourist Attractions	Go to ALL Tourist Attractions in Antrim
Giant's Causeway 44 - Causeway Road, Co. Antrim Spectacular cliffs and headlands faced with basalt columns of different heights give shelter to a number of bays, while pavements of "Causeway Stone" march out in regular shapes from the foot of the cliffs towards the sea. Within the nature reserve, a series of paths run between the visitor centre at Causeway Head and Hamilton's Seat. One path follows the cliff top, while another runs midway up the cliffs to provide breathtaking views of the Amphitheatre, the Chimney Tops, the Giant's Causeway itself, and Port-na-Spaniagh, where the Spanish galleon "Girona" sank in 1588. In early summer, the ledges and cliff tops are carpeted with wild flowers such as bird's-foot trefoil, kidney vetch, spring squill and thrift. Watch out for buzzards, peregrine falcons and rare choughs around the cliffs. Eider ducks and oystercatchers often feed in the sheltered bays below. Show me all the details for Giant's Causeway

2. Lakes	Go to ALL Lakes in Antrim
The Living Lough Co. Antrim The great wetland habitats of Lough Neagh and Lough Beg constitute one of the most important bird sites in North- West Europe. Shallow waters and sheltered shores, wet grasslands and bluebell woods each harbour a wealth of resident and migratory birds, including 100,000 waterfowl. Numbers of wildfowl peak in mid-winter when there can be more pocard, scaup and goldeneye than on all the other lakes of the British Isles put together. Internationally important numbers of wild swans come from Iceland and Siberia to winter in the fields and sheltered bays around the lough. The surrounding countryside is equally rich in wildlife with good populations of foxes, badgers and otters, a profusion of wildflowers and many species of butterfly. Guided walks are organised by the staff at countryparks and nature reserves throughout the year. Miles of country lanes, river banks and forest nature trails such as at Drum Manor and Parkanaur offer leisurely exploration. By early spring the departure of wintering wildfowl is well under way and an influx of passage migrants and summer visitors enliven the birdwatching scene. With the new breeding season comes the beautiful and spectacular display of 750 pairs of Great Crested Grebes , best observed from a network of hides at Oxford Island National Nature reserve, Randalstown Forest And Shane's Castle. Show me all the details for The Living Lough

3. Nature Reserves	Go to ALL Nature Reserves in Antrim
Breen Oakwood Co. Antrim At one time, oakwoods covered much of north-east Antrim. Gradually the trees were felled for timber and the land cleared for farming. Today, Breen Oakwood is one the last fragments of these once extensive woodlands. The mature oaks form a dense canopy overhead, with birch on the higher ridges. Rowan, hawthorn, holly and hazel grow beneath to form an understorey, with alder and willow in the damper areas beside streams. Ferns and mosses thrive in the damp, shady conditions, while dragonflies, frogs and newts are attracted to the boggy pools. Tits and treecreepers are common and keep an eye out for a sparrowhawk or buzzard hunting among the trees. Please keep to the paths. This will protect the tree seedlings, which are essential to the survival of the wood and cannot withstand trampling. Facilities: Car Park in the farmyard. Show me all the details for Breen Oakwood

4. Zoos	Go to ALL Zoos in Antrim
Belfast Zoo Nina Harkness , Antrim Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim Show me all the details for Belfast Zoo

5. Bogs	Go to ALL Bogs in Antrim
Slieveanorra Forest Altarichard Road, Co. Antrim High on the slopes of Slieveanorra Mountain are four plots of peat bog which show different stages in the formation and erosion of peat. The owennaglush plot is a rare example of a raised bog in which the peat is actively growing, while the Orra Bog and Slieveanorra plots show what happens when shallow blanket peat is eroded. The plant life varies from heather and deer grass in drier areas, to damp patches where sphagnum moss, sedges and cotton gras grow. Bog asphodel, bog-bean and insect-eating sundews live on the edges of bog pools on Owennaglush. Hen harriers, merlins and red grouse have adapted to life and made their home in these upland areas. Show me all the details for Slieveanorra Forest

6. Open Farms	Go to ALL Open Farms in Antrim
Brookhall Historical Farm Pauline Johnston , 2 Horse Park, Magheragall, Co. Antrim Open farm with farm museum, gardens, tea house, craft and antiques shop and farm animals. Building which represents a 12th century place of worship and a beautiful closed garden which is an ancient burial ground. Also a holy well which is used for its healing properties. Show me all the details for Brookhall Historical Farm

7. Islands	Go to ALL Islands in Antrim
Brown's Bay Co. Antrim The most popular tourist spot in the island, Brown's Bay has a beautiful, safe sandy beach bounded by hills on either side. It is an ideal spot for bathing, and a popular place for picnics. A walking route for Brown's Bay takes visitors to the Rocking Stone, a prominent local landmark on the shore, and headlands which overlook the sea and the Maiden Rocks to the north. Nearby is Ferries Bay, another sandy beach location. Show me all the details for Brown's Bay

8. Harbours	Go to ALL Harbours in Antrim
Carrickfergus Harbour Co. Antrim Show me all the details for Carrickfergus Harbour

9. Parks	Go to ALL Parks in Antrim
Ballyboley Forest Co. Antrim 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. Show me all the details for Ballyboley Forest

10. Wildlife Parks	Go to ALL Wildlife Parks in Antrim
Lagan Valley Regional Park Park Officer , L.V.R.P. Officer, Belvoir Forest Park, Co. Antrim The land is a mosaic of private and public owned land connected by the River Lagan, the old Lagan canal and the towpath. Public access is available to many parts of the Regional Park via the towpath and footpaths which lead through the fascinating countryside. Full of history, wildlife and tranquility, the Lagan Valley Regional Park offers the chance to explore and enjoy the countryside at Belfast's doorstep. History: The Lagan Valley is steeped in history, dating back through many thousands of years. Evidence of early settlement may be seen at the Giant's Ring, an impressive earth ring and burial ground dating from late Neolithic times. Further settlements are chronicled in the early Christian rath at Clement Wilson Park and the 12th century Anglo-Norman mottes at Belvoir and Edenderry. Show me all the details for Lagan Valley Regional Park

11. Rivers	Go to ALL Rivers in Antrim
Stranocum Co. Antrim Rainbow trout can be purchased for table use at Bush Valley Fish Farm. Picnicing and car parking facilities are close by at Bush park. Show me all the details for Stranocum

12. Caves	Go to ALL Caves in Antrim
Bruce's Cave Co. Antrim The most famous cave is Bruce's Cave, below the east lighthouse at the other end of the Island. Robert the Bruce hid here in 1306 after his defeat by the English at Perth, and it was a Rathlin spider whose arachnoid energies gave the despondent warrior new heart and sent him back to Scotland to win the Battle of Bannockburn. Show me all the details for Bruce's Cave

13. Cliffs	Go to ALL Cliffs in Antrim
Giant's Causeway 44 Causeway Road, Co. Antrim Spectacular cliffs and headlands faced with basalt columns of different heights give shelter to a number of bays, while pavements of "Causeway Stone" march out in regular shapes from the foot of the cliffs towards the sea. Within the nature reserve, a series of paths run between the visitor centre at Causeway Head and Hamilton's Seat. One path follows the cliff top, while another runs midway up the cliffs to provide breathtaking views of the Amphitheatre, the Chimney Tops, the Giant's Causeway itself, and Port-na-Spaniagh, where the Spanish galleon "Girona" sank in 1588. In early summer, the ledges and cliff tops are carpeted with wild flowers such as bird's-foot trefoil, kidney vetch, spring squill and thrift. Watch out for buzzards, peregrine falcons and rare choughs around the cliffs. Eider ducks and oystercatchers often feed in the sheltered bays below. Show me all the details for Giant's Causeway

14. Mountains	Go to ALL Mountains in Antrim
The Glens of Antrim Co. Antrim In a distance of 40 mile along the Antrim Coast Road there occur examples of nearly every rock formation and epoch, from Schists over 300 million years old (the earths original crust) to lave fields, glacial deposits, raised beaches and flint beds. The red sandstone tints the beaches. All the way along, black and white boulders are scattered like dice. The Glens are grand territory for game or sea anglers and for golfers. Botanists, geologists and archeologists spend happy days in rich hunting grounds and keen walkers follow the varied peatland, coastal and forest routes of the Ulster and Moyle Ways. The names of the nine Glens, from south to north, are: Glenarm (glen of the army), Glencloy (glen of hedges), Glenariff (ploughman's glen), Glenballyeamon (Edward's glen and town), Glenaan (glen of little fords), Glencorp (glen of the slaughter), Glendun (brown glen), Glenshesk (sedgy glen) and Glentaisie (glen of the princess Taisie.) The Antrim Moutains rise steeply from the Glens, but when you reach the top you find a great moorland plateau gently sloping for 15 miles to the valley of the river Bann and the busy town of Ballymena. There are not many roads up here-but those there are lead through superb, deserted scenery: past the forests of Beagh, Glenbush, Glenariff and Ballyboley, over countless of Beagh, Glenbush, Glenariff and Ballyboley, over countless streams to tiny sheep rearing settlements like Newtown Crommelin. Show me all the details for The Glens of Antrim

15. Water Falls	Go to ALL Water Falls in Antrim
Gleno Waterfall Co. Antrim Gleno Waterfall: Gleno is famed for its beautiful waterfall, which is owned by the National Trust, and is among the scenic offerings of the area not be be missed by the visitor. Walks have been created around the area and a bridge crosses the river to allow a close up view of the waterfall. Seating is provided within the area too, and you can have a restful and relaxing time here, enjoying the best that nature has to offer by way of riverscape. Two adjacent car parks are reached via the Waterfall Road and are well signposted. A path also connects the river walk with the nearby ice cream factory. Show me all the details for Gleno Waterfall

16. Woods and Forests	Go to ALL Woods and Forests in Antrim
Ballyboley Forest Co. Antrim 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. Show me all the details for Ballyboley Forest

17. Walks	Go to ALL Walks in Antrim
A Walk along the Causeway Coast Co. Antrim PORTBALLINTRAE TO BALLINTOY There's no more splendid walk anywhere in Ireland for the ordinary pedestrian and it is waymarked almost all the way. Beach road soon gives way to a pleasant path past golflinks and a bridge over the Bush, a fine salmon river. Rocky islet opposite Runkerry House is a salmon netting station, one of many on this coast. Follow cliff-top path to Giant's Causeway Centre, then take the low road to the Grand Causeway and on past strange rock formations and secret bays, including Port na Spaniagh where the Armada treasure ship Girona sank in 1588. Then up Benbane Head via the wooden staircase ( a chance here to return along the cliff top.) Stride on westwards, losing height gradually, to ruined Dunseverick Castle - capital of the fabulous Kingdom of Dalriada - and a potentially useful bus stop if you have walked enough. On now to Portbraddan, with Ireland's tiniest church (12ft x 6.5 ft) , and blond Whitepark Bay backed by dazzling limestone cliffs. At the E end the track passes between islets of Carricknaford and the old shoreline of a raised beach. Stone Age flints have been found in the sea caves. Ahead lies Ballintoy, with its boat-bobbing harbour and little white church and, after Larrybane visitor centre, an exhilarating walk along the cliffs to the swinging rope bridge that connects Carrick-a- rede island to the mainland. Distance 11 miles (18km) Minimum Time 6 Hours Show me all the details for A Walk along the Causeway Coast

18. Gardens	Go to ALL Gardens in Antrim
Antrim Castle Gardens Co. Antrim These formal gardens in late seventeenth century style are a unique survival in Ulster. They lie within the old demesne of Antrim Castle, of which only a single tower remains. Formal walks are lined with hedges of hornbeam, lime and yew of a height rarely seen today rising to more than 20ft in some cases. Some walks focus on formal water features such as the Round Pond and the T-shaped Canal, others on a formal parterre garden, yet others on an earthen mound which has a spiral path running up it. The estate's former stable block has been restored as an arts centre, Clotworthy House. Show me all the details for Antrim Castle Gardens

19. Bird Watching	Go to ALL Bird Watching in Antrim
The Living Lough Co. Antrim The great wetland habitats of Lough Neagh and Lough Beg constitute one of the most important bird sites in North- West Europe. Shallow waters and sheltered shores, wet grasslands and bluebell woods each harbour a wealth of resident and migratory birds, including 100,000 waterfowl. Numbers of wildfowl peak in mid-winter when there can be more pocard, scaup and goldeneye than on all the other lakes of the British Isles put together. Internationally important numbers of wild swans come from Iceland and Siberia to winter in the fields and sheltered bays around the lough. The surrounding countryside is equally rich in wildlife with good populations of foxes, badgers and otters, a profusion of wildflowers and many species of butterfly. Guided walks are organised by the staff at countryparks and nature reserves throughout the year. Miles of country lanes, river banks and forest nature trails such as at Drum Manor and Parkanaur offer leisurely exploration. By early spring the departure of wintering wildfowl is well under way and an influx of passage migrants and summer visitors enliven the birdwatching scene. With the new breeding season comes the beautiful and spectacular display of 750 pairs of Great Crested Grebes , best observed from a network of hides at Oxford Island National Nature reserve, Randalstown Forest And Shane's Castle. Show me all the details for The Living Lough

20. Scenic Drives	Go to ALL Scenic Drives in Antrim
Donegal - The Inishowen Peninsula Bus Eireann, Ramelton Road, Co. Antrim Leaving Downings and returning to Carrigart we travel along Mulroy Bay to Milford and Ramelton. Ramelton, a planter's town was begun in the early 17th century and has a lot of character. Continuing along the Western shore of Lough Swilly we arrive at Letterkenny, the most populous town in the county. To reach the Inishowen Peninsula we take the Western road from Letterkenny to Buncrana, namely the N13. Our first stop is Manorhamilton on the east of the river Swilly estuary with the Doorish Mountains rising to the east. From here we make our way northwards for approx. 8 km before turning off for a 2 km uphill drive to the Grianan of Aileach. Here on top of Grianan Mountain (250m) is a stone fort enclosed within three earthen banks, the site of a tumulus and of an ancient approach road. What dominates is the reconstructed (1870s) stone fort. The diameter of the Cashel is over 23 m. The interior of the wall is stepped in three terraces with four flights of steps. There are two passages within the wall, one from the south and one from the Northeast. The place has been used for a long time and the earthen enclosures dates from the iron age when it was used as a temple of the sun. The stone fort is much later and dates from historical times. Ptolemy of Alexandria noted its position in the 2nd century A.D. Exquisite views of the surrounding countryside are offered to the naked eye from atop the walls. From the Grianan we return to the N13 and continue to Fahan where we find a few traces remaining of St. Muran's Abbey. The most interesting item is a flat two-faced cross. Archaeologists have deciphered the writing on the north face. It is a Greek version of the Gloria Patria dating from the mid-7th century. Travelling along the eastern shore of Lough Swilly from Fahan we arrive at Buncrana, a seaside resort and excellent shopping centre. There is a fine beach at nearby Lisfannon. The road north climbs through beautiful vistas of sea and mountainside to the Gap of Manore. At the summit breathtaking views of the Lough Swilly area and Atlantic beyond are offered. We descend to Clonmany to view the waterfall nearby at Glenview. A little further on is the delightful village of Ballyliffen with a fine sandy beach at Pollan. Veering due east at Ballyliffen we travel to Carndonagh, an important ecclesiastical site dating from the 5th century. Its 1945 catholic church is a good example of modern church architecture in Ireland. Less than one kilometre away we find St. Patrick's Cross, which expert opinion holds to be the oldest standing cross in Ireland. It is by the roadside opposite the Protestant church and is one of the most important examples of early Christian crosses outside mainland Europe. Leaving Carndonagh we go through comparatively good land to reach the village of Malin (17th C.) the most northerly settlement in the Irish Republic. On the nearby Hill of Dean is a well preserved monument called the Temple of Dean. 13km further on we reach Malin Head where we find an early 19th century signal tower and a ship's radio station which is still in use. Spectacular seascapes are offered from the Malin Head looking out to the wild Atlantic Ocean. The 'wee' house of Malin is a rock cell cut into the cliff. It may have been an anchorites cell. Returning via the coast to Culdaff we spot several fine sandy beaches which are safe for bathing. Three km south of Clonca is the impressive shaft of St. Boden's cross rising to a height of 4 m. Close by we find ruins of a 17th century planter's church and a further on between Culdaff and Moville we can see an example of an ancient sweathouse with a circumference of 12 m. Moville on Lough Foyle was once a port of call for transatlantic liners but has found a new role as a leisure centre. The drive between Molville and Muff takes us along the western shore of Lough Foyle looking onto Derry and Northern Ireland. From Muff, a small border village, we make our way back to Letterkenny via Newtown Cunningham and Manorcunnigham. Total distance: 250 km. Show me all the details for Donegal - The Inishowen Peninsula

21. Visitors Centre	Go to ALL Visitors Centre in Antrim
Belfast Civic Arts Centre 41 botanic Avenue, Co. Antrim Show me all the details for Arts Centre

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