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the council» tourism » heritage trails » crumlin heritage trail

Crumlin Heritage Trail

If you love all things old and full of history, visit Crumlin and indulge yourself with some fascinating and unique historic attractions. Crumlin is steeped in Christian Heritage and has numerous churches in the area, some in use, some ancient remains.

Park in Crumlin Glen car park (entrance on the right hand side of the bridge, just before the river). Walk back towards the main road, turn left and cross the road. On the left side is the Tree Circle, on the right is the Old Mills Complex.

1. The Tree Circle

Descending the Brae into the village, on the right hand side can be seen, rising high above the houses into the sky, a Ring of Trees. An unusual gathering, like a huddled family with their long dark fingers almost blending into one enormous canopy shielding the earth below. The ring marks the ground where Mill horses were buried.

2. The Old Mills Complex

Old Mills ComplexThe origins of the Old Mills Complex began with the arrival of an energetic man, Rowley Heyland, who established the very first flour mill. The Government regarded the mill of such importance (five storeys high, powered by three water wheels) that they built the warehouses and encouraged extensive wheat-growing in the district. By 1815, the tillage in the area had grown to 24 per cent under wheat alone.

 

 

Walk back down towards the Triple-Level Bridge.

3. Triple-Level Bridge

Triple Level BridgeAt the entrance of Crumlin Village is the original railway span, a powerful wooden structure which belonged to the Great Northern Railway in 1871. The old bridge was replaced by a new one around 1908. The Bailey-Bridge type appearance was then replaced by the modern steel viaduct extending high and wide for greater strength. The Antrim line runs for 18.5 miles with 44 bridges. However, one of the bridges has the unique feature of carrying the railway track above the Crumlin Road, which in turn carries traffic across a river. This is an unusual sight anywhere in the UK and Ireland: a triple level bridge - a bridge over a bridge, over a river, where a boat, a train, a car and even a plane could, theoretically cross paths.


From the Triple-Level Bridge, walk down towards the town centre. Turn left onto Main Street. The entrance to the First Presbyterian Church is only 20 yards on the right hand side through a gateway. The Church is set back in its own grounds and is not visible from the road.

4. The First Presbyterian Church

Crumlin First Presbyterian ChurchEasily recognisable by the iron gateway on Crumlin's Main Street, the church was established as a result of two major events. In 1689, the Rev. David Airth moved to Scotland as his Presbyterian meeting house, on the opposite side of the road from the Mount (see no. 7), was badly attended. Around the same time, Rev. John Malcolm moved to Dunmurry, leaving behind his flock at Kilmakevit, the Largy. The two groups decided to come together and build their own meeting house which was established in 1723 and accommodated 500 worshippers. Some years later, the congregation became Unitarians. The original meeting house was pulled down and the new building erected in 1834 at a cost of £1,000.


Continue up Main Street towards the Clock Tower.

5. Clock Tower

Crumlin Clock TowerThe Clock Tower was built in 1897 as a memorial to Rev. Arthur Pakenham of Langford Lodge, in recognition of his many acts of kindness. Situated at the end of Main Street, the Clock Tower is a prominent feature in the village, easily recognisable by its weather vane and cupola. Recent restoration work has returned it to its former glory.

 

 





Walk back to the car park. Take the riverside and woodland walks which lead to a waterfall and Cockle House.

6. The Cockle House

Cockle HouseThe Cockle House is a little gothic-arched rubble stoned building and, according to folklore, was built facing Mecca as a Muslim temple for the landowner's servant.

 

 

 

Drive out of the car park. Turn left and drive for approximately 500 metres. The Mount is on your right in the field.

7. The Mount

Almost hidden in growth and trees and tucked away on the side of the river is a large earthwork reminiscent of a Norman Motte. No one is sure whether this is a motte created in a time of unrest or whether it is a funereal mound. The Ordnance Survey Memoirs, 1838, refer to the mound as being in "perfect form, a truncated cone, 26 ft high and 104 ft in diameter at the base and 24 ft at the summit."

Drive for another 400 metres. Turn right and go over the bridge. Drive for 200 metres. The Ancient Camlin Church is on your right.

8. Ancient Camlin Church

Located just outside Crumlin Village, this historic building has almost disappeared from history and is now covered with decaying bushes, ivy and trees. The earliest available records date the church from 1291. This was the principal church of the Deanery of Clondermot. Even after the church became disused, it continued to be a burial place.




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Antrim Borough Council, Antrim Civic Centre, 50 Stiles Way, Antrim, BT41 2UB, Northern Ireland T: 028 9446 3113 ^^ back to top
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