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County Antrim

Michael Heraghty — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 17:53:56 +0000

County Antrim is located on the northeast coast of Ireland, separated from Scotland by the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Of the 32 counties that comprise the Emerald Isle, Antrim ranks ninth in size and second (to County Dublin) in population.
The County Antrim landscape varies – from the surreal basaltic cliffs of the northern coastal regions near the Giant’s Causeway to the lush and fertile lands of the Bann and Lagan River valleys and Loughs Belfast and Neagh.

Highlights

County Antrim offers a wide variety of opportunities for visitors to enjoy the very best of Ireland. In Belfast City, the Botanic Gardens contain indoor and outdoor areas that showcase all sorts of plant life.
Queen’s University campus features historical architecture, artistic and cultural exhibits and libraries. The Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast, well preserved in a charming, late 19th century style, serves food and drink to residents and tourists alike in the authentic atmosphere of an old-fashioned pub.
Outside Belfast City, a visit to the village of Bushmills provides the chance to see and sample the famous Irish whiskey as it is being made.
Ballycastle offers charming seaside accommodations in close proximity to the Rope Bridge of Carrick-a-Rede. The village also proudly hosts On Lannas Fari in the month of August.
County Antrim is also home to Ireland’s most popular attraction — the Giant’s Causeway, a magical series of seaside columns steeped in legend and mystery.

History

The first inhabitants of County Antrim were probably Celtic, but settlers from Denmark and Scotland soon joined them. The name of the area was designated prior to history recorded in the 14th century.
Popular surnames associated with County Antrim include: Brown, Burns, Campbell, Craig, Lynch, Kerr, Moore, Mac Gee, Mac Dougal, Riordan, O’Hara, Scott and Wilson.
It is widely believed that the Hill of Slemish in County Antrim was the place where St. Patrick spent seven years of his youth as a slave before he escaped and returned to England.
The county is rich in historical sites, some made famous during the turbulent period of Irish history referred to as the Troubles — most notably, the Belfast Wall Murals.
The murals are poignant expressions of the hopes, dreams and emotions of the Protestant and Catholic residents of Antrim County. They focus on topics from historic images from the Book of Kells (housed in Trinity College) to memorials dedicated to heroes and freedom fighters of both Irish and non-Irish descent.

Linen Hall Library, Belfast

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:39:56 +0000

On the northwest corner of Donegal Square sits the Linen Hall Library, a private collection founded in 1788 and housed in a building designed by Charles Lanyon. This is the last subscribing library in Ireland as well as the oldest library in the city of Belfast.
The interior is beautifully decorated by a variety of Belfast artworks, including paintings and prints, many of which are available for purchase.
Many of the documents in the library’s Irish and Local Studies collection chronicle the events of the Troubles, in fact, at more than 80,000 documents, the Linen Hall Library holds perhaps the most extensive collection of information on the subject.
The history of the library chronicles the story of one of its first librarians, a man named Thomas Russell, who was connected with an uprising in 1803 and ultimately hanged for his involvement.
The Linen Hall Library offers a variety of services, and prides itself on being a centre for culture and learning. A schedule of events and exhibits is available.

Botanic Gardens, Belfast

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:38:46 +0000

Adjacent to Queen’s University, this oasis of greenery, first planned and laid out in 1827 provides a welcome respite for students and visitors alike, especially the garden area featuring flowers, trees, benches and walks that sits along the River Lagan.
In 1839, Charles Lanyon, popular architect of many Belfast landmarks, designed Palm House, a marvel composed of curvilinear glass and iron. The Ravine House, formerly called The Glen, contains a wide variety of plants, from the imported tropical to the indigenous Killarney fern. Visitors view the plant life from a charming balcony overlooking the glen.

Albert Memorial Clock Tower, Belfast

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:37:33 +0000

Named for Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, this tower is not open to the public, but remains one of Belfast’s most widely recognized monuments. It stands on recently renovated Queen’s Square, leaning ever so slightly due to settling of the ground beneath.
The clock tower is located next to Custom House, which was designed by Charles Lanyon, architect of the main building at Queen’s University. It features some interesting carvings of Neptune, Mercury and Britannia created by Thomas Fitzpatrick.

Queen’s University, Belfast

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:35:22 +0000

Founded in 1849 and named after Queen Victoria, Queen’s University began as three colleges, located in Belfast, Galway and Cork. They became one university in 1908 when the Colleges and the Royal University were replaced by the Queen’s University of Belfast and also the National University of Ireland.
The first class of students numbered about 90. They attended classes in the main buildings, located just a few minutes’ walk from Donegal Square and the center of the city of Belfast. Designed by Charles Lanyon, they were fashioned from red and yellow brick, in a Tudor style that resembles Magdalene College at Oxford.
The main building, also known as the Lanyon Building, features three towers, large windows made of lead glass and imposing ornamentation. It is a familiar backdrop, often used as a background for films and news reports about Belfast
The University Visitors Centre is located in the Lanyon Building. It provides services for visitors and alumni, displays historical items related to the University, and offers a variety of souvenirs. The centre features a schedule of exhibits and presentations designed to enrich the entire community.
Also nearby: University Square and the Seamus Haney Library named for the poet from Ulster who won the Nobel Prize in 1997.
Today’s Queen’s University is made up of over 300 buildings, many of which are historically significant. The student body numbers near the 24,000 mark.

Belfast Wall Murals

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:34:08 +0000

The West Belfast areas of Protestant Shankhill Road and Catholic Falls Road contain many murals that express the loyalties of the people who live in the surrounding working class neighborhoods. Painted on homes and other buildings, they represent an interesting art form as worthy of a guided tour as any museum in the country.
The colorful murals depict a variety of themes ranging from King William’s victory in the Battle of the Boyne to images taken from the Book of Kells. Some are ornate works of art, embellished and professional, while others impress viewers with minimal artistry and stark emotion.
Historically, the Protestant murals were created by skilled workmen to commemorate the victory of King William. In recent years, however, they have become less ornamental and celebratory and have moved more into the realm of social commentary. They are more functional, expressing the Protestant stance against nationalism and liberalism.
Catholic, nationalistic murals in areas such as Falls Road, mostly surfaced as a response to the hunger strike of IRA inmates around 1980. One famous mural depicts an image of Bobby Sands, along with the following words ” Our revenge will be the laughter of our children”.
Other themes include symbols of rebirth such as phoenixes, heroes and revolutionaries from all around the world, and slogans that proclaim persistence in the pursuit of freedom.

St. Anne’s Cathedral (Belfast Cathedral)

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:32:25 +0000

St Anne’s Cathedral, sometimes called Belfast Cathedral, was erected at the turn of the century upon the site of the original of St Anne’s Parish Church. The cathedral is a descendant of Belfast’s first Church of Ireland (Episcopal) Parish, founded by the Marquis of Donegal. History writes that he named it for his first wife, Lady Anne Hamilton, who shared the name of St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary.
The chosen site was at the fording point of the River Lagan, a customarily popular place for settlers to locate religious structures from the origins of the city of Belfast. The original St. Anne’s Church was torn down to make room for the cathedral, and the Countess of Shaftesbury laid the cornerstone in 1899. The cathedral was built and finally consecrated in 1903.
The exterior of this early 20th century Protestant cathedral doesn’t attract much attention; in fact, its Irish neo- Romanesque influences make it appear rather gloomy. The interior, however, is definitely worth a visit.
Inside, there are captivating mosaics, created in the 1920′s. One mosaic is made up of more than 150,000 pieces. It covers the ceiling of the baptistery in grand style. Irish marble and Canadian maple decorate the nave and aisles. Lord Carson (1854-1935), the leading opponent of Home Rule, is buried here under a plain gray stone slab in the south aisle.

Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:30:43 +0000

Known to locals as “the Crown Bar”, the Crown Liquor Saloon has been visited by Belfast natives since 1894 and is one of only two pubs in Ireland that are owned by the (UK) National Trust.
A true historical and cultural treasure, this restored jewel from the Victorian era features original gas lamps complete with gunmetal match lighting plates, cozy wooden snugs and a beautifully carved wooden bar, as well as a unique scrolled plasterwork ceiling.
The stylish interior is enhanced by stained glass windows, marble fixtures, and intricately designed mosaics, and a variety of wall mirrors. The Crown Liquor Saloon is a popular gathering place for natives and visitors alike – anyone who enjoys good food and drink in pleasant surroundings.

Ulster Hall, Belfast

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:29:14 +0000

Built in 1862 to serve as a ballroom, Ulster Hall is currently known as the home of the Ulster Orchestra. This performance venue also maintains a rich tradition of hosting historically significant events.
In March of 1971, the classic Led Zeppelin song, “Stairway to Heaven” was first performed onstage here.
Earlier on in Irish history, Ulster Hall witnessed many Nationalist political rallies that featured speakers such as Charles Stewart Parnell and Patrick H. Pearse. These rallies occurred during the years preceding the dawn of the Irish Republic in 1921.
The hall features a huge Victorian Mullholland organ. Visitors are welcome during non-performance hours.

Grand Opera House, Belfast

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:27:53 +0000

Frank Matcham, an architect famous for his theatre building designs, conceived this Victorian masterpiece in 1894. It was meticulously restored during the late 1970s.
Outstanding features of the Grand Opera House include intricately detailed plasterwork, red plush furnishings, and fine gilt mouldings. On the ceiling, visitors become engrossed in the breathtaking fresco of angelic beings, created by Cherith Mc Kinstry, a contemporary Irish Artist.
The best way to enjoy the experience of the Grand Opera House is to attend a performance. Plays, operas, and concerts are held regularly by a host of talented artists. The venue is famous as the setting for Van Morrison’s Live Album, recorded here in 1984.