Find the nearest History & Heritage in Antrim
Our History and Heritage category brings all Coast Radar’s Antrim listings related to looking for something to do or a place to visit together where they offer some form of historic or heritage based activity.
Finding the best things to see and do on a Antrim day out with your family or friends is easy – simply explore the historic and heritage links below, hit the jump to my location button or use the search bar to plan your next Antrim activity.
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- Carrickfergus Castle is preserved as an ancient monument on the shore of Belfast Lough. John de Courcy, the Anglo-Norman baron who conquered much of Ulster, started building the castle in the 1170s and it remained in use 1928, seeing action until World War II. It was built and re-built three times, and still stands today. Carrickfergus Castle is a self-guiding attraction with information boards situated around the Castle to allow you to spend as much or as little time as you wish. The banqueting hall has been fully restored and there are many exhibits to show what life was like in medieval times. A visitor centre has maps an other items for sale, also guided tours of the Castle can be arranged.
- Glenarm Castle is one of Ireland’s oldest estates. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery and walks in our historic Walled Garden and Castle Trail, excellent locally sourced food in our Tea Room and a visit to our shop. The castle itself is the home of Viscount and Viscountess Dunluce and their family, the inside of the Castle is only occasionally open to the public for guided tours. The walled garden has seasonal opening times.
- Belfast has had a number of castles. The first Belfast Castle was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. A second castle, made of stone and timber, was later constructed by Sir Arthur Chichester, Baron of Belfast, on the same site in 1611 but then burned down almost 100 years later. In 1862, the third Marquis of Donegall, a descendant of the Chichester family, decided to build a new castle within his deer park, situated on the side of Cave Hill in what is now north Belfast. The castle was finished in 1870.
- Bonamargy Friary is a late Franciscan foundation established in 1485 by Rory MacQuillan and built close to the mouth of the Carey and Shesk rivers.
- Construction began in 1898 after Belfast was awarded city status by Queen Victoria. The hall was built under the supervision of architect Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas and was completed in 1906.
- The Customs House is an imposing Victorian building, designed by the architect Charles Lanyon. It represented Belfast importance in trade with only London and Liverpool collecting more duty from their port than Belfast did.
- The Albert Memorial Clock is a clock tower situated at Queen’s Square in Belfast, it was completed in 1869 after a competition for the design of a memorial to Queen Victoria’s late Prince Consort, Prince Albert, was won by W. J. Barre, who had earlier designed Belfast’s Ulster Hall.
- The Ballycastle museum is within the 18th century courthouse and market building. The museum’s collection includes the Irish Homes Industries Workshop which was part on the Arts and Crafts Revival in Ireland.
