The Port of Larne offers visitors easy access to thirty-six miles of extraordinary coastline, tranquillity in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, friendly people, specialist shops and great accommodation. Larne town is a perfect base to shop, relax, dine and explore the unspoilt countryside of County Antrim.
The Borough of Larne has over 50 NITB approved accommodation outlets, from award winning self-catering premises, hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and camping barns, as well as caravan sites for touring caravans.
Larne Harbour Heritage Trail takes visitors on a journey through the development of the Larne Harbour area. From Olderfleet Castle that dates from 1500, the building of the Coast Road, which changed the lives of the people in the Glens forever, to the illicit gunrunning during the fight against Home Rule in 1914, and the loss of the Princess Victoria, the worst peacetime maritime disaster to occur in British coastal waters, the tour certainly leaves the visitor with a lasting impression of Larne’s historic past.
The Carnegie Library first opened in 1906 as a free public library, has been given a new lease of life as the Carnegie Museum and Arts Centre, offering an enhanced museum service, permanent exhibition gallery and a programme of temporary exhibitions, reflecting the historical legacy of Larne and the East Antrim area.
Further north between Carnlough and Glenarm, the Straidkilly Nature Reserve, managed by the Ulster Wildlife Trust, has been designated as an Area of Specific Scientific Interest, covering 8.5ha is part of the largest areas of semi-natural woodland in County Antrim, occupying a north-east facing basalt escarpment and is a haven for birds, butterflies and wild flowers.
Two of the most beautiful of the Nine Glens of Antrim, Glenarm and Glencloy, lie within the Borough of Larne and, as legend would have it, are home to ‘the little folk’. Glenarm is one of the oldest villages in Antrim, dating back to Norman times, with tranquil walks through the forest with views over Glenarm Castle. Glenarm Castle is owned today by Randal McDonnell, Viscount Dunluce and the fourteenth Earl of Antrim and the Walled Garden is open to the public Wednesdays to Sundays, from end of April to September.
Islandmagee, south of Larne, is a great place to visit. A peninsula typical of Northern Ireland’s picturesque rural beauty, it’s a great place if you are seeking an active holiday, horse-riding, riding for the disabled, relaxation therapy, diving, bird watching and fishing are just some activities on offer. Rugged basalt cliffs (The Gobbins) look east towards Scotland, which can be seen clearly on a good day, whilst gentle gradients on the west seep down to the waters of Larne Lough. Larne Lough is an excellent spot for bird watching as birds can be viewed from the sea on the sanctuary at Muck Island. Safe sandy beaches nestle between the northern promontories whilst, at the southern end, a picturesque coastal walk from Whitehead gives access to the craggy headland known as Black Head. Islandmagee can trace its history back to the Neolithic Age (4000 to 2500 BC). In ancient times the area was called Rinn Semhne. Rinn, in Irish, means a point and its application to land means a peninsula or promontory thus the peninsula of the territory called Semhne. Evidence of Islandmagee's historic past has been uncovered and documented. One particular feature that has stood the test of time is a portal tomb at Ballylumford known locally as the Druids Alter and probably a relic of the Neolithic Age.
Brown's Bay is the most popular toruist spot on the "island". It has a beautiful, safe, sandy beach nestling between the northern promontories of Skernaghan Point and Barr's Point. Skernaghan Point, on the east of the bay, is a National Trust property and features a short walking route past the "Rocking Stone". Looking to the north one gets a clear view of the "Maiden's Rocks", far out in the North Channel, and of their lighthouse.
Gleno is a charming village situated at the head of the scenic Gleno Valley. A waterfall in the village, maintained by the national Trust, is a popular tourist attraction. A row of old cottage houses remains, giving the visitor the flavour of bygone times.
Ballygally village boasts its very own resident ghost, Isabella Shaw, wife of James Shaw who built the castle as a stronghold in 1625. The castle is now a fine hotel, overlooking Ballygally’s fine sandy beach, popular with visitors and locals alike.