GLENARM

THE GLEN OF THE ARMY

At  the seaside town of Glenarm(one of the oldest towns in Ireland) with its white chalk cliffs nearby  lies the most southerly and first of the Nine Glens of Antrim .
A 12 miles from the port of Larne this privately owned well wooded  glen with its grassy hillsides on the estate of the Earl of Antrim, the main dwelling place of the Macdonnells since 1636. is particularly at its best in the spring time with its show of wild flowers such as primroses and  lovely yellow irises.

Glenarm Castle, dating from around 1750 with early 19th century  alterations (Restored around 1825) lies near the village and the Antrim estate extends up the Glen for about four miles on both sides of the river. Near the castle can be traced the remains of the old church Templeoughter, the upper church.

. The great Shane O'Neill's body according to legend after his murder at Cushendun in 1567 is reputed to be buried here, minus his head which was displayed on a spike at Dublin Castle.

The harbour of Glenarm dates back to the fifteenth century where it was at one time filled with trading and  small fishing boats now all gone but a few.

On the seaward side of the coast road near Glenarm is a pile of rocks with an opening which is called "The Madman's Window" where it is believed someone is supposed to have committed suicide here. 
At least one court cairn and several wedge tombs represent late Stone Age (Neolithic) settlement in the Glen. There are also a number of Iron Age raths and souterrains. A raised rath at Deerpark Farm in the upper glen has recently been excavated by Department of the Environment archaeologists: it has been shown to have been occupied from about AD 500 until about AD 950. Publication of the findings, which included intact cavity wattle walls, is eagerly awaited.

Farming provides the main source of income with the Eglinton Lime Company and the Northern Salmon Company providing some employment.
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