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County Antrim - Castles, Cathedrals, Monuments,
Stately Homes & Palaces
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Since the stone age, man has been
creating majestic structures that we still marvel at
today.
Whether you are interested in ancient monuments,
battlefield sites, re-enactments, Roman and Norman forts
and castles, Stately Homes, Country Houses, Historic
Cathedrals, Ruined Abbeys etc, this is the page that
should give you the information you need.
Here we try to list properties in private ownership but
open to the public (even if only occasionally) as well
as those in the care of the National Trust or
English/Scottish Heritage.
We know that not all the properties
in County Antrim are listed.
Please help us make this
guide comprehensive by giving details of missing
attractions
here.
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DUNLUCE CASTLE
Portrush
Tel: 028 2073 1938
See our
Web Page
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For opening
times and admission charges see our web
page.
Dramatic ruins on a rocky headland.
Most of the fortifications date from the
16th/17th centuries.
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Wheelchairs limited. Visitor centre, shop, guided
tours. On A2 east of Portrush.
For further information on all State Care
Monuments (SCM) and for access to materials
contained in the Site And Monuments Record (SMR)
please contact:
Environment & Heritage Service - (SCM)
Tel: 028 905 43095
E-mail:
ehsinfo@doeni.gov.uk or See our
Web Page.
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Curfew Tower
Cushendall Francis Turnly built this tower
c.1820 as the town jail but it was also an
eye catcher. five-storeys high with a dungeon on
the ground floor and a house above, it is now
used as a residence for artists. Listed
building.
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CARRICKFERGUS CASTLE
Marine Highway, Carrickfergus, County Antrim
Tel: 028 9335 1273
E-mail:
ehsinfo@doeni.gov.uk
See our
Web Page
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One of
Irelands finest Medieval castles.
Construction began in 1180 by John de
Courcy, conqueror of East Ulster and
remained garrisoned until 1928.
Guided tour, information boards and
models well as an audio visual display.
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Shop, cafe and wheelchair access throughout the
grounds. Last admission 30 minutes before closing
time. See our
Web Page.
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King William Statue
Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim
Situated overlooking the harbour, the life-size
bronze statue was commissioned to mark the
Tercentenary of his landing in Carrickfergus on
14th June 1690. Admission free.
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Bonamargy Friary
Ballycastle, County Antrim
Tel: 028 2076 2225
Remains of Franciscan friary founded around 1500
by Rory MacQuillan. East range of cloister,
gatehouse and church virtually complete except
for roof. Open all year. Admission free.
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Old Church Tower
Queen Street, Ballymoney, County Antrim
A striking local landmark, the church tower is
the oldest structure in Ballymoney. An
ecclesiastical site from early times, this
church was built in 1637 by Sir Randall
MacDonald on the site of an earlier building.
Listed building. Money received from the
Heritage lottery fund.
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Saint Patrick's Parish
Church
181 Glenshesk Road, Armoy, County Antrim
"The church, which stands on an eminence and
within a few feet of an old round tower, is a
very plain edifice in good order and comfortably
fitted internally". ( Brett ).
Rebuilt 1820, square blackstone tower added in
1846. Listed building. Money received from the
Heritage lottery fund.
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BENVARDEN GARDEN
36 Benvarden Road, Dervock, Ballymoney, Co.
Antrim, BT53 6NN
Tel: 028 2074 1331
Fax: 028 2074 1955
E-mail:
benvarden@onetel.com
Web:
www.benvarden.com
Open: Daily, 1st June - End August.
11.30pm - 5.00pm (Closed Mondays). Except Bank
Holidays. Open in May & Sept by appointment.
In his book, Gardens of
Ireland, Terence Reeves-Smyth describes
Benvarden as having one of the few fully
maintained walled gardens in Ireland and
undoubtedly the best in private hands.
There is a Rose garden, a
Box and Lavender parterre, a well-stocked
kitchen garden with Hot houses, Vinery,
potting-shed, Melon house and Espalier-trained
apple & pear trees against the high curved brick
walls. There is a very attractive cobbled
Stable-yard entered by an arch surmounted by a
cupola and containing coach houses, stables and
cart-houses. Here is the Tea-room, converted
from a former stable. A woodland pond is the
setting for a wild garden containing
Rhododendrons, Camellias, Primulas, Bluebells
and many other wild flowers. The river Bush is
spanned by a 120ft. long Victorian cast iron
bridge. A former cow-byre has been adapted as a
small Museum displaying old Farm and Garden
implements and other items of interest. The
Gardens are available and suitable for wedding
photographs.
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Andrew Jackson Centre
Boneybefore, Carrickfergus, BT38 7AB
Tel: 028 9336 6455
E-mail:
hrankin.tourism@carrickfergus.org
Andrew Jackson Centre, Boneybefore - Located
less than a mile from the town centre off the
Larne Road. The single storey building is a
traditional Ulster-Scots farmhouse built in
1750. It has been restored to its original state
including an open fireplace with a daub and
wattle canopy and hanging crane. The interior
has been decorated as a traditional cottage with
a dresser, sponge wear crockery and iron pots
and griddles. The Centre has a collection of
Ulster patchwork quilts and farm machinery. The
7th president of the USA's ancestry and life are
displayed in the gallery. Disabled access.
Toilet facilities.
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Arthur Ancestral Home
Ballymena Borough Council, Ardeevin, 80 Galgorm
Road, Ballymena, County Antrim
Tel: 028 25638494 Fax: 028 2563
8495
E-mail:
tourist.information@ballymena.gov.uk
Restored 18th-century farmhouse with open
flax-straw thatched roof. Ancestral home of
Chester Alan Arthur, 21st US President 1881-85.
Arthur's father emigrated from Dreen 1816-17.
Interpretive centre, baking demonstrations.
Wheelchair access. Small admission charges.
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Joey Dunlop Memorial
Garden
Ballymoney, County Antrim
Tel: 028 2563 8494
Joey Dunlop, born in Ballymoney in 1952, was
affectionately known to motorcycle racing fans
and competitors alike as 'King of the Roads' and
'Yer Maun'. Through his courage and ambition, he
became one of the most successful riders of all
time. He was tragically killed while racing in
Estonia in July 2000. His incredible sporting
career included five Formula One World
Championships. 13 wins at the North West 200
races. 24 wins at the Ulster Grand Prix and a
world record of 26 wins at the Isle of Man
Tourist Trophy. In May 2001, Ballymoney Borough
Council officially opened the Joey Dunlop
Memorial Garden. In this beautiful setting,
visitors have time to reflect on the
unprecedented achievements of this much loved
international motorcycling legend.
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The White House
C/O Abbey Historical Society, 32-34 Whitehouse
Park, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, BT37 9SQ
The White House is the oldest building in the
Borough of Newtownabbey and is situated on
Belfast Lough on the edge of the city. It was
built in the sixteenth century and much of the
building has survived. Abbey Historical Society
has undertaken the challenge of restoring it to
make it a centre for local history studies.
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