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Glenarm (Gleann Airm)

The Glen

Glenarm, southernmost of the nine glens, is among the most under populated of the glens and is due mainly to the Glenarm Castle Estate that spans the glen. This estate has been designated an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and it has adopted an environmentally friendly policy to ensure the safety of the glen's natural resources and wildness. As you travel down the glen from the open moor lands of the Antrim Plateau you will enter a silent glen, the road tunnelled by overhanging oak trees meanders down the side off the estate, you will see a haven of wildlife with wild pheasants (I know I seen them on the road), foxes and rabbits. The estate is home Aberdeen Angus/Cross suckler cattle and mainly grey-faced ewes (sheep), it also caters for activities including open days, shooting, river fishing, 4x4 off-road driving and corporate entertainment.
Glenarm Castle website is filled with useful information

The Village

When you enter the village it is probably best to park at the seafront and walk around. Claiming to be the oldest town in Ireland after being granted a charter in the 12^th century, Glenarm is tiny village with narrow little thoroughfares soaked in culture with friendly people, a forest walk and don't miss Bill & Christina Steenson crafting their jewellery masterpieces in the open workshop/showroom on the main street. The Barbican gate stands proudly in one of the side streets as a reminder of the immense history that surrounds the village.

The History

Evidence suggests that the glen has been occupied since the late Stone Age (Neolithic period) with at least one court cairn and several wedge tombs discovered. There are also a number of Iron Age raths and souterrains, indeed a rath has recently been excavated and found to have been occupied between 500AD and 950AD. Around 1500AD a Third Order Franciscan Friary was founded on the site where the Church of Ireland now stands, Shane O'Neill's decapitated body is said have been laid to rest here in 1567AD after he was killed at Cushendun by the MacDonnell's.

Further history information is available at Glenarm Castle and AntrimHistory