Antrim Coast & Glens

The Antrim Coast & Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was designated in 1988 under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (NI) Order. It includes Rathlin Island, the Glens of Antrim and the coastal area between Larne and Ballycastle.

There is no doubt this area contains some of the most beautiful and varied scenery in Northern Ireland.

The Glens of Antrim stretch over some 80km of shoreline, encompassing grasslands, forests, peat bogs, mountain uplands, churches and castles. The Antrim Coast Road, built in the 1830s, winds its way between bays and high cliff lines for nearly 160km.

There are nine glens in all – Glenarm, Glencloy, Glenariff, Glenaan, Glencorp, Glenshesk, Glentaisie, Glenballyeamon, Glendun.