Cushendall: (approx. pop. 1,400) is a village in the parish of Layd or Cushendall and in the barony of Glenarm Lower. At the corner of Mill Street is the red sandstone Curfew Tower which was built in 1809, by Francis Turnly. About 1 mile from Cushendall is the Layde Old Church ruins, which was built in the 13th century. The church was an important burial site for the MacDonnell's. The church has been rebuilt 3 times and used to be the parish church until the 1790's.
Cushendall in 1997.
Ballycastle: (approx. pop. 4,000) is a small town in the parish of Ramoan and in the barony of Cary. Ballycastle gets its name from the medieval castle that was built in the middle of the town. On the same site another castle was built in 1609 by Randal MacDonnell. MacDonnell was the 1st earl of Antrim. Apparently no trace of either castle exists. Every year in late August is the Ould Lammas Fair . This traditional fair has been a yearly event since the MacDonnell family obtained the charter for the fair in 1606.
Ballycastle.
Larne: (approx pop 18,000) A town and port on the east coast of County Antrim. Larne is in the parish of Larne and in the baronies of Glenarm Upper and Belfast Lower. The town is approx 20 miles north east of Belfast. Edward Bruce is said to have landed here in 1315. The port was also used by Edward Carson and his Ulster Volunteers in 1914 when they docked cargo ship full of German arms in defiance of the Irish Home Rule Act. Larne was used as the main ferry port to Stranraer, in Scotland, from 1849. It was started by James Chaine and there is a round Tower in Larne harbour to commemorate this. Just south of the town is the Curran Tower which was built in the 1500's.
Carrickfergus: (pop approx 24,000) A town that was built up around the large castle, John de Courcy erected in 1180. Carrickfergus is in the parishes and barony of Antrim. The castle was taken from Hugh de Lacy (de Courcey's successor) in 1210 by King John after a 9 day siege. From 1315 the castle held out for over a year from attacks by Edward Bruce. Niall Mor O'Neill destroyed the castle in 1384. In 1690 the castle was taken from the Jacobites by Schomberg. Also in that year Prince William of Orange landed beneath the castle's walls. In 1760 the castle was taken by the French naval commander Thurot. During the 18th century the Castle was used as a prison. Some of its prisoners in 1796 included Luke Teeling and William Orr. On the outskirts of the town is a reconstructed cottage and ancestral home of Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), who was the 7th President of the United States.
The name McAlister is said to have come from this area.
Ballymena: (approx pop 30,000) A large manufacturing and commercial town in the parish of Kirkinriola and in the baronies of Toome Lower and Antrim Lower. The town was founded in in 1624 by the Scottish settler William Adair, he was from Kinhilt, Galloway. The town prospered from the linen industry in the mid 18th century.
More to Come!
