The Glens of Antrim (Irish: Glinnte Aontroma),[1] known locally as simply The Glens, is a region of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It comprises nine glens (valleys), 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.
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.[2]
From north to south, the nine glens are:
| Irish name | Meaning | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glentaisie | Gleann Taise | Taise's valley/damp valley | [3] [4] | |
| Glenshesk | Gleann Seisc | barren valley | ||
| Glendun | Gleann Doinne | valley of the [river] Dun | ||
| Glencorp | Gleann Corp | valley of the body (or bodies) | [5] | |
| Glenaan | Gleann Athain | valley of the burial chamber | [6] | |
| Glenballyeamon | Gleann Bhaile Uí Dhíomáin Gleann Bhaile Éamainn | valley of Ó Díomáin's town valley 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 |
Glenravel is sometimes considered a tenth glen. 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).
Artifacts of the Neolithic period have been found in various places of the Glens of Antrim including Bay Farm II and Madman's Window.[7]
The Glens are mentioned in the song "Ireland's Call". DI Sean Duffy, in the Troubles mysteries by Adrian McKinty, is from the Glens.