The Glens of Antrim (), known locally as simply the Glens, is a region of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It comprises nine glens that radiate from the Antrim Plateau to the coast. The glens are an area of outstanding natural beauty and are a major tourist attraction in north Antrim.
The main towns and villages in the Glens are Ballycastle, Cushendun, Cushendall, Waterfoot, Carnlough and Glenarm.
The Lordship of the Glens From the mid-13th century onward, the lordship of the Glens belonged to the Bissett family, Anglo-Norman in origin but Gaelicized over generations. With the marriage of John Mor Macdonald, second son of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles, to Margery Bisset in the late 14th century, the glens came into the ownership of the MacDonnells of Antrim. John Mor gained the title Lord of Dunyvaig and the Glens.An Historical Account of the Macdonnells of Antrim by George Hill, 1873, at. p. 21
The nine glens From north to south, the nine glens are:
Irish name Meaning Ref Glentaisie Gleann Taise Taise's valley/damp valley Logainm.ie (Placenames Database of Ireland)Moyle District Council Area , Northern Ireland Place-Name Project, Queen's University Belfast Glenshesk Gleann Seisc barren valley Glendun Gleann Doinne valley of the [river] Dun Glencorp Gleann Corp valley of the body (or bodies) Glenaan Gleann Athain valley of the burial chamber Place Names NI Glenballyeamon Gleann Bhaile Uí DhíomáinGleann Bhaile Éamainn valley of Ó Díomáin's townvalley of Éamonn's town Glenariff Gleann Aireamh valley of the ploughman/arable valley Glencloy Gleann Claidheamh valley of the sword Glenarm Gleann Arma valley of the army
Tenth glen Glenravel is sometimes referred to as a tenth glen by locals. It lies to the southwest of Glenballyeamon and Glenariff, being separated from the latter by the Glenariff forest park.
The main settlements of Glenravel are Cargan, Martinstown and Skerry (Newtowncrommelin).
Archaeology
Artifacts of the Neolithic period have been found in various places of the Glens of Antrim including Bay Farm II and Madman's Window.
In popular culture The Glens are mentioned in the song "Ireland's Call". DI Sean Duffy, in the Troubles mysteries by Adrian McKinty, is from the Glens. The song The Green Glens of Antrim was written by Kenneth North and has been recordedby artists such as The Wolfe Tones, Daniel O'Donnell and Paddy Reilly.
See also Glens of Antrim Historical Society
References
External links
Glens of Antrim Website Glens of Antrim Historical Society - Aerial footage from the BBC Sky High series explaining the physical, social and economic geography of Northern Ireland.