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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.