With steep valleys stretching to rugged coastlines and headlands, it’s a beautiful part of the world with a rich and varied history.
In a series of features, our journalists are examining the things they love most about the places they live (and one thing they hate – but we will come to that later).
In no particular order, here are some of the things that I love about the Antrim Coast and Glens, an area in which I was glad to grow up and where I still live today.
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1. Rathlin Sound Festival
Celebrating the maritime and cultural heritage of the North Antrim coast, in particular the stretch of water that gives the festival its name, this event was first held in 2013 and has become a favourite for my family. We particularly enjoy the kite displays on the beach and, of course, the Naturally North Coast and Glens Market at the seafront. The festival also features live music performances, ‘have a go’ activities (my children loved the drumming last year), crafts, talks, and cookery demonstrations. Photo: Helena McManus
2. Slieveanorra Mountain
Slieveanorra Mountain, also known as Slieve-na-Aura and Aura/Orra, is one of the many named peaks in the Glens of Antrim. It isn't the highest - that honour goes to Trostan - but it has views to rival any of its peers in the Antrim Plateau. On a clear day, anyone who hikes the short but steep trail from the Altarichard Road to the telecommunications mast at the summit will be treated to the spectacular vista in the above photo. The mountain gives its name to the Battle of Aura, fought between the MacDonnells against the McQuillans and O'Neills in the middle of the sixteenth century. In 1942, a US Air Force bomber crashed on the mountain, with a memorial to the eight servicemen who lost their lives erected at the site in 2014. Photo: Helena McManus
3. Lammas Fair
The Ould Lammas Fair in Ballycastle-o, as the song goes, has been held without interruption for nearly four centuries, with only the 2020 and 2021 fairs cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a child it was the perfect ending to my summer, starting off with a mid-morning tea and sandwiches meet-up with cousins at the top of the town. After that we'd make our way down the Diamond to pick up some Yellow Man (I passed by the dulce), finishing up at the fairground amusements on Quay Road. Nowadays I take my own children down to the fair, and while there have been many changes over the years, it's still something of an institution in North Antrim. Photo: McAuley Multimedia
4. Altnahinch Reservoir
Situated on the edge of Slieveanorra Forest just a few miles from my home village of Loughgiel, Altnahinch Reservoir is another of my favourite spots to go for a stroll - particularly with the addition in recent years of the boardwalk around the lake's southern edge. It's a tranquil beauty spot that's also very popular for angling. Photo: Michael Cooper