Antrim Town Heritage Trail

Antrim is a town steeped in history with many notable buildings, churches and places of interest. Its historic past can still be identified in the wide range of important buildings and sites hiding behind the facade of the town. It is also the main shopping area within the Borough.

This Antrim Town Heritage Trail lasts approximately one and a half hours and will attempt to give a flavour of the area's rich cultural past by going back to the origins of Historic Antrim. At various locations on the trail, information panels have been erected, giving detailed information and signposting the way to other places of interest. They are depicted by a red triangle and are located at sites of historical interest.

Park in the car park at Clotworthy Arts Centre located off the Randalstown Road and proceed into the building.
 

1. Clotworthy House

Clotworthy Arts Centre was built in the 1840s as a coach house and stables for Antrim Castle. It has been restored as an Arts Centre and has become the Borough's premiere venue for the presentation of drama, music and visual arts.

Leave Clotworthy Arts Centre by the front door. Turn left towards the Gardens. Take the first left and along the avenue between the two high hedges: beech to the left and lime to the right. At the end of the lime hedge turn right into the Parterre Garden.

2. Antrim Castle Gardens

These impressive 17th century water gardens, created by the Viscounts Massereene sometime bwtween 1680 and 1715, are one of the earliest of their kind remaining in the British Isles.

2a. Parterre

In the 18th and early 19th century, this formally patterned garden supplied the Castle with herbs for cooking and medicinal uses. Constant alterations and improvements meant that by 1857 the Parterre had disappeared. In the 1990s, the gardens, including the Parterre, were re-created using clipped miniature box hedges with stalked pyramids and globes flanking beds of period planting.

Proceed through the Parterre Garden and leave by the other gate, turning left to the Canal. Turn left along the left bank.

2b. Long Canal

The Canal is divided into two sections by a limestone cascade. The lower Canal, constructed in 1710, is lined with clipped lime trees, while the upper Victorian Canal is lined with hornbeam trees. The narrow paths (46cm) along the Canal edge are called "lovers paths" as couples had to walk closely together to catch each other should they fall!

At the end of the Long Canal turn right onto a broad avenue and take the next pathway to the right leading to the Round Pond.

2c. Round Pond

The Round Pond is an original feature of the gardens. It is located at the north end of the "Wilderness", an area of common, rare and exotic planting incorporating scenic paths and avenues.

Proceed past the Round Pond and along the lime avenue towards the Motte and remains of Antrim Castle. Take the path to the right just before the yew archway. Note the burial ground to the right.

2d. Burial Ground

Originally, the burial ground was a small parterre garden but in the 1860s it was converted into a private burial ground for the Massereene and Ferrard family. The large urn was brought here from Oriel Temple in County Louth.

Continue along the path to the Motte, behind which lies the ruins of Antrim Castle.

2e. The Motte

This Motte is believed to have been built by the Norman Lord John de Courcy as part of his conquest of Antrim and Down. From the 13th century, it was the centre for the administration of Norman Settlement in the Valley of the Six Mile Water. The Motte was transformed into a magnificent viewing mount in the early 18th century with a corkscrew path lined on the outside with a yew hedge. The summit is accessible upon request (please contact staff at the Clotworthy Arts Centre).

2f. Antrim Castle

The Castle was erected in stages between 1610 and 1666 and was rebuilt in 1813 with additional renovations carried out in the Victorian era. The Massereene and Ferrard families occupied the Castle from 1610 to 1922. The original 17th century Castle comprised of a main east-facing block and two long wings. Square corner towers flanked the main front while sculptured panels and tablets adorned the entrance.

During a grand ball on 28 October 1922, the building caught fire and was destroyed. It lay in ruin until demolition in 1970. All that remains of the Castle today is a slightly raised grassed platform and a freestanding tower which was built in 1887.

Continue past the Motte through the underpass beneath the Dublin Road, noting the new water feature. Keep left towards the Barbican Gate. On leaving the underpass, take the set of steps to the left. Proceed along the back of the Castle Walls and you will come upon the Artillery Fort.

3. Artillery Fort & Castle Walls

Hugh Clotworthy built the artillery fort in 1596. It was maintained as a defensive structure throughout the 17th century and in the 18th century was made into a productive and ornamental garden for Antrim Castle. During the Battle of Antrim in 1798, it was used as a vantage point by the Yeomanry. The main part of the original fort and the terraced gardens were destroyed in 1972 when the Dublin Road was constructed. The rampart and former east wall of the fort remain and a single bastion survives, complete with pistol and musket loops. In 1999, Antrim Borough Council undertook restoration work to the walls. In 2004, the turret was opened and a new spiral staircase leading to a viewing platform (opened on a seasonal basis) was created.

Follow the wall of the Artillery Fort and go through a small arch into an enclosed space. On exiting, turn right into Market Square and you will be able to view the splendour of the Barbican Gate.

4. Barbican Gate

Built c. 1818 with twin neo-Tudor towers, this was the main entrance to Antrim Castle. The arms of the Massereene family and Ferrard family are displayed above the gate. The shield indicates the Clotworthy Arms and the three bulls' heads, the Skeffington Arms. The family motto reads 'Per Angusta Ad Agusta'- 'Through hard times to prosperity'. Having fallen into disrepair after years of neglect, 2005 saw a major scheme that has restored this building to its former glory.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ANTRIM CASTLE GARDENS AND THE BUILDINGS THEREIN ARE CURRENTLY UNDERGOING RENOVATION AND NOT ALL AREAS MAY BE ACCESSIBLE.

5. Market Square

Market Square provides the focal point of the town. In 1665, permission was given for six fairs a year but by the mid 19th century only three remained. Market Square was home to the annual livestock fair and, in 1860, a weekly Thursday market was established for buying and selling of general produce. A hiring fair for workers was also held twice a year in May and November.

The former Courthouse dominates the centre of the square and the former Police Barracks stands adjacent to the Barbican Gate.

6. Old Courthouse

The courthouse was classically designed and built in 1726 for the grand sum of £150. It was a two-storey building with a small turret (cupola) on top, dating from 1817. The Court occupied the upper floor while the lower floor provided an arched market-hall.

Many cases of highway robbery and animal theft were tried here and strict criminal laws resulted in transportation or death for relatively trivial offences, even the stealing of a sheep!

By 1836, the lower floor had been converted to a prison yard for prisoners attending trials and for confining drunkards and rioters. It was later converted into a public library. The building continued to be used as a courthouse unil 1994.

7. Former Police Barracks

These barracks were built in 1856 from granite and basalt for the Royal Irish Constabulary. An underground tunnel was constructed from the barracks to the courthouse to prevent prisoners escaping while on their way to court.

At this point, there is the option to follow a longer walk. For this option return to the Artillery Fort and proceed across the Castle Shopping Centre car park to the pedestrian crossing.

Cross Castle Way past the Police Station into Castle Street which leads to St Comgall's Roman Catholic Church (for shorter option proceed along High Street and into Church Street - See No. 11).

8. St Comgall's Roman Catholic Church

Before 1818, there was no Catholic Church in Antrim and Mass was celebrated at several open-air locations. The old chapel in Antrim was replaced in 1870. With its Italian style towers, St Comgall's Roman Catholic Church provided an important landmark for visitors entering the town from Randalstown or Ballymena.

Passing the front of the church turn right into Oriel Road. Take the second road on the left, Steeple Road. Continue over the hill, passing the school entrance, to the sign-posted entrance for the Round Tower on the left.

9. Round Tower

The Round Tower and Bullaun Stone are impressive reminders of Antrim's ancient monastic settlement. The tower was built around the 10th century as a bell-tower or for protection from raiders and is known locally as The Steeple. It is 28 metres tall and one of the finest of its kind in Ireland. The monastic site was burned in 1147.

Leave the tower and return to Steeple Road. Turn right. Cross Steeple Road and take the first road on the left, Old Steeple Road. Continue along this road over the railway crossing, passing the bus and train stations, to the former Workhouse.

10. Former Workhouse

The Antrim Poor Law Union Workhouse was opened in 1843 in the wake of a cholera epidemic. The workhouse evolved into Massereene Hospital which closed in the late 1990s. Today, all that remains of the workhouse is the entrance building through which paupers were admitted and segregated.

Continue to the junction with Castle Way. Turn left passing the new Courthouse and Alexander Irvine Park. At the roundabout, continue left into Church Street to the Old Congregation Church immediately left.

(At this point rejoin shorter trail option).

11. Church Street

This area was formerly known as Scotch Quarter. From the 1590s the Scots settled together in Antrim, erecting clusters of thatched cottages.

12. Old Congregation Church

The former Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church stands in Alexander Irvine Park opposite Pogue's Entry. It was originally built for Scottish settlers in 1700 and reconstructed in 1888, replacing an earlier structure thought to have been located near the Steeple (Round Tower).

Proceed along the left side of Church Street.

13. Castle Puff

This is an imposing three-storey building which was built as the manse for the nearby Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church. Guests who were not quite elegant enough to stay at Antrim Castle were lodged at the manse. In the opinion of the townsfolk, they were sufficiently puffed-up to lodge at the ostentatious Castle Puff.

Cross to the other side of Church Street. Proceed back towards the town centre. To the immediate left note the grand entrance to First Antrim Presbyterian Church.

14. First Antrim Presbyterian Church

Fronted by two sturdy Doric columns, the facade of First Antrim Presbyterian Church features a Greek-revival design. The columns are copies of the ancient portico at Thorieus in Greece but are in contrast to the interior of the church which is characteristically plain.

15. Pogue's Entry Historical Cottage

This historic corner of 18th century Antrim contains the childhood home of Alexander Irvine, who became a missionary in New York's Bowery and eventually pastor of the Church of Ascension on Fifth Avenue. His book "My Lady of the Chimney Corner" recalls his boyhood years in Pogue's Entry and describes the lives of the Irish country folk during the post-famine days.

The cottage is preserved in its original state as a tribute to Dr Irvine and a memorial park is also located at the junction of Castle Way and Church Street. Narrow lanes and alleyways, lined with cottages and cabins similar to Pogue's Entry, once led off the length of Church Street.

Proceed along Church Street to the large church on the left.

16. All Saints Church

Built in 1596, All Saints Church is one of the oldest parish churches still in use in the north of Ireland. The outer walls of the main church are largely original. There are leper squints under the windows on each side of the date stone. These are said to have afforded glimpses of the interior for lepers or persons not allowed into the church building. They might also have been loopholes from which muskets could have been fired.

The church was burned by the Scottish army of General Monro in 1649 and was not repaired until 1720. The tower and spire of the church were erected in 1816 and the transept was added in 1869. Inside there are many monuments dedicated to the Massereene family, some members of which are buried in vaults beneath the church. The churchyard contains the headstones of many prominent people, including Alexander Irvine.

Take the next street on the left adjacent to the church at the junction of Church Street and High Street.

17. Riverside (formerly known as Mill Row)

Riverside was the industrial quarter of Antrim during the 18th and 19th centuries. Located beside the Six Mile Water, a paper mill (1776), brewery (1807) and corn mill were established on the site. In 1864, William Dickey built a weaving factory at 34 Mill Row. In 1888, Boals of Ballymena built a linen mill on the site of the old paper mill. Lamont continued the linen tradition in this factory from 1921 until its closure in 2000. The unique character of this area has been preserved as an area of architectural and industrial interest.

Retrace steps back to the junction of Church Street and High Street and turn left. To the immediate left is the former Old High Street Presbyterian Church.

18. High Street

This is the main business area of the town. Between the First and Second World Wars, High Street was home to four hotels specialising in providing holidays for Lancashire mill workers.

19. Old High Street Presbyterian Church

This Victorian Gothic church was built in 1853. Due to the erection of a new church on the outskirts of the town, it is no longer used for religious purposes.

Proceed along High Street. Turn left at the mini-roundabout into Bridge Street. Proceed to Massereene Bridge.

20. Massereene Bridge

Viscount Massereene built the original bridge in 1708 as a gift to the people of Antrim. It was repaired and widened in 1857.

Proceed over the bridge and note the old building just beyond the bridge with the horseshoe doorway.

21. Massereene Forge

The Forge was originally built in 1887 and was home to Viscount Massereene's blacksmith's forge. The distinctive horseshoe entrance still survives.

Turn into the next street on the right, pass the British Legion Hall and turn right through the car park. Turn left and proceed along the river path past Antrim Forum Leisure Cente to an old stone bridge on the right. Beside the footbridge formerly stood Massereene Friary, a small Franciscan Friary founded around 1500.

22. Deerpark Bridge

This picturesque feature of Antrim Castle Gardens was constructed, c. mid-18th century, of basalt rubble. With six semi-circular arches, it would originally have provided access to a public road, leading to Lough Neagh and the rest of the Massereene estate.

At this point, the Trail crosses the bridge to return to Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy Arts Centre.

There is the option to carry on past the Deerpark Bridge and follow the pathway to Lough Neagh.

23. Lough Shore Park & Rea's Wood

During the summer months, the Lough Shore Park is a magnet for those seeking relaxation by the water's edge and is an area steeped in history with many attractions and activities to enjoy. The attractive surroundings make it the ideal spot to spend a few hours enjoying a picnic, feeding the swans, walking along the many pathways or going on a boat trip. The Lough Shore Park is the venue for a variety of events and a range of water sports.

The Park provides excellent views of Lough Neagh which is the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles and one of the most important bird habitats in Western Europe. The shoreline of Lough Neagh is designated an Area of Special Scientific Interest.

Rea's Wood also runs adjacent to the park and stretches for one mile along the shores of Lough Neagh. Most of this area has been designated as a National Nature Reserve to protect the developing wet wooland and some rare invertebrates that live within it.

About turn and retrace steps to the Deerpark Bridge. Turn left over the bridge and return to Clotworthy Arts Centre.