Antrim (town)

Antrim (Irish: Aontroim, "lone ridge") is the historic county town of County Antrim in Northern Ireland; these counties have been abolished so since 2015 it's been within the Borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey. It's 22 miles northwest of Belfast and is a commuter town for the city, with a population in 2011 of 23,375. For many visitors it's the place they arrive but don't stop to explore, as the International Airport is here. But it has several historic sites, a pleasant setting on Lough Neagh, and is a good base for visiting around the lough and further north. There's tourist information at the airport but the town TIC is in the Old Courthouse, open M-F 8:30AM-5PM.

Get in
(, aka Aldergrove) is 20 miles west of Belfast but only 4 miles south of Antrim town. It's Northern Ireland's main airport, with flights across UK and Europe mostly by Easyjet; there are no flights to Belfast from within Ireland. It has buses to Belfast, City Airport and Derry, but these don't serve Antrim. See below for Bus 109A between Lisburn, airport and Antrim. Car hire and taxis are also available.

See Belfast for other long-range travel options, which include Belfast City and Dublin airports, ferries to Belfast and Larne, and trains and buses from Dublin.

Trains run hourly, daily from Belfast Great Victoria Street via Lanyon Place and other Belfast stations, taking 40 min to Antrim. They continue to Ballymena, Coleraine, Castlerock and Derry. Change at Coleraine for Ulster University and Portrush.

is quarter of a mile northeast of town centre.

Goldline Bus 218 / 219 runs every two hours from Belfast Europa station, taking 30 min to Antrim, and continuing to Ballymena, Cloughmills, Ballymoney and Coleraine.

Bus 109A runs hourly M-Sa from Lisburn via Crumlin and International Airport to Antrim. Air travellers with a rail ticket to / from stations north of Antrim, such as Ballymena, Coleraine, Portrush, and Derry, can ride between airport and Antrim for a discount £2 single fare - show your rail ticket when you board the bus.

Bus 110 / 120 runs four times M-Sa from Magherafelt (with connecting buses from Cookstown) via Castledawson and Randalstown to Antrim.

By car from Belfast follow M2 west.

Get around
The town is compact enough to walk. The most reliable taxi firm is SML, +44 7999 083131.

See

 * The Courthouse or Market House, built in 1726, is at the head of High St by the Barbican. It now houses the TIC and theatre.
 * or "Steeple" is to the north on Steeple Rd. It's a well-preserved example from the 10th century, 92 ft / 28 m tall with a conical cap; such towers were church belfries but nothing remains of the church / monastery. A Celtic cross is carved over the tower doorway (no entry, it's 2.5 m above ground level and barred by a metal grille). Nearby is the "Witches Stone" and two bullauns - stones with hollows that collected rainwater, of supposed healing properties.
 * was a fortified farmstead circa 1000 AD, with earthworks and palisades. You'll have to use your imagination with this one, just a grassy platform with trees hemmed in by The Meadows housing estate. From Stiles Way B518, turn onto Fort Green (perhaps a clue?) then follow The Meadow: look for the layby and little footbridge to your left.
 * World of Owls is in Randalstown Forest two miles west of Shane's Castle. There are also public bird hides on the lough shore.
 * is the largest island on Lough Neagh, about a mile long by a quarter mile wide, and a mile out from the eastern lake shore. There's the ruins of a monastery with a Round Tower, and of a 19th-century summer house. Boat trips from Antrim may visit, and in summer there's a ferry from Sandy Bay Marina.
 * was built in 1789 in neo-classical style by Robert Adam. It's within the grounds of Castle Upton, which isn't open to the public.
 * off A6 Antrim Road is a water-powered mill for making spades and shovels, still in working order and maintained by the National Trust.
 * was built in 1789 in neo-classical style by Robert Adam. It's within the grounds of Castle Upton, which isn't open to the public.
 * off A6 Antrim Road is a water-powered mill for making spades and shovels, still in working order and maintained by the National Trust.

Do

 * Old Courthouse Theatre is within the Courthouse on High St.
 * Omniplex Cinema is on Junction retail park a mile north of town centre.
 * Antrim Forum is the council-run leisure centre, south bank of the river.
 * Golf: there are two lakeside courses, Massereene and the council-run Allen Park.
 * Boat trips usually sail in summer from Antrim Marina: they might visit Slane's Castle, or Ram's Island to the south. The well-known but elderly cruise boat Maid of Antrim has been removed for refurbishment, not a moment too soon.
 * The Irish Game Fair and Fine Food Festival is an all-Ireland event at Shane's Castle in late June.
 * Northern Ireland Food & Craft Festival is held in Antrim castle gardens in early July.

Buy

 * Castle Mall is the ugly shopping centre that erased much of the historic town. It's one block back from High Street, enter from north side.
 * The Junction is the retail park a mile north of the centre, junction of A26 and B518 towards the M2. Asda is open M-F 7AM-midnight, Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 1-6PM.


 * Nutts Corner Sunday Market is just south of the A26 / A52 junction. It has stalls.

Eat

 * Ruby's bar and restaurant at 19 Bridge St just south of the river is a solid family-oriented place.
 * Ruby's bar and restaurant at 19 Bridge St just south of the river is a solid family-oriented place.

Drink

 * Bars along High Street include Steeple Inn, Anchor Bar, Massereene House, Madden's (see Eat) and Barneys.

Connect
Antrim town, the airport and connecting highways have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Jan 2022, 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Belfast is a must-see for its reinvigorated city centre, don't just hurry through its transport hub.
 * Lisburn was birthplace of the Irish linen industry. A few miles southwest is imposing Hillsborough castle.
 * Cookstown on the opposite side of Lough Neagh is where Kings of Tyrone were crowned, and the area is studded with prehistoric sites.