What Is a Glen?

A glen is a deep, narrow valley.Glens are most often found among hills and mountains in Ireland and Scotland.

The term glen is often used in place names in Ireland and Scotland.

In 1988, the Antrim Coast and Glens was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The area includes Rathlin Island, the Glens of Antrim and the coastal area between Larne and Ballycastle.

The Glens of Antrim

The nine glens are:• Glenaan• Glenarm• Glenariff• Glenballyemon• Glencloy• Glencorp• Glendun • Glenshesk• Glentaisie

“The Glens of Antrim” by Matthew Hutchinson is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Glenaan – Glen of the Little Fords

A megalithic cairn said to be the resting place of the legendary warrior -poet Ossian can be found in Glenaan.Ossian’s Grave is thought to be 4000 -5000 years old.

Ossian’s father was the famous Fionn MacCumhail, a character who features in many Irish Legends. Fionnwas the leader of the Fianna, a band of warriors.

Glenarm – The Glen of the Army

Glenarm is the most southerly glen.

The castle in this glen is now the home of Randal, Viscount Dunluce, son of the 14th Earl of Antrim.

There is a long history of castles in Glenarm; the first dated back to the 13th century (around 1260)!

The 13th century castle stood in the centre of the present village of Glenarm; it was in the possession of John Bisset, who had acquired lands from Hugh de Lacy, the Earl of Ulster.

Glenarm Castle

Bisset chieftains who resided in Glenarm were called ‘MacEoin of the Glens’. After the last MacEoin of the Glens was killed in 1522, the MacDonnells seized the lands.In 1642, Glenarm Castle (which stood on the present castle site) was burnt down by an invading Scottish army!

The castle we see today dates from different time periods; there were a number of fires that damaged or destroyed parts of the castle, and building work brought additions during the centuries.

Forest and Village

Although Glenarm Forest is small, it boasts a wide variety of tree species.

The Glenarm River runs through the forest, then winds its way to the sea at Glenarm Village.

Heron, kingfishers and even otters can be spotted by the riverbank.

Glenarm is a coastal village. It has a number of Georgian Streets, interesting architecture, a harbour and a pier.

Visitors can also see the Barbican Gatehouse of the Castle.

Glenariff – The Glen of the Plough

Glenariff is the largest of the nine glens and is often called the Queen of the Glens.

The village of Waterfoot lies within this glen and the nature reserve Glenariff Forest Park is within its bounds.

The glen is an extremely scenic place; there are no shortage of stunning views or waterfalls.

“Glenariff” by Roving.L is licensed under CC BY 2.0

A glacier formed the u-shaped valley!

Glenariff Forest Park

Glenariff Forest Park covers over 1000 hectares of land.

A three-mile long Waterfall Walkway, opened more than eighty years ago, allows visitors to see three stunning waterfalls.

The forest is home to species that are important for conservation, such as the red squirrel, Irish hare and hen harrier.

There are scenic views across the glens and even over to the Scottish coast.

“Glenariff Forest” by Mark Gunn is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Glenballyemon – Edwardstown Glen

Glenballyemon is a wide and deep glen above the village of Cushendall.

Francis Turnly purchased Cushendall, often called the Heart of the glens, in the 1800s.Turnly arranged the building of the forty foot tall Curfew Tower.

In the 1920s, Cushendall was one of the first villages in Ireland to have a hydroelectric power scheme.

The scheme was pioneered by Anthony O’Connor and featured six streetlights.

“Cushendall Town” by Grace Smith is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Lurigethan

Glenballyemon offers views of Trostan; at 553 metres high, it is Antrim’s tallest mountain.

Lurigethan Mountain offers climbers beautiful views of Scotland and the Scottish Isles from its summit.

Glencloy – Glen of the Dykes

The shape of this Glencloy resembles a sword and an alternate name for it is Glen of the Sword.

The mouth of the glen is the seaside village of Carnlough.

Carnlough boasts a recently renovated harbour.White chalk quarries are a feature of Glencloy.Evidence of Neolithic settlement has been discovered within the glen.

There are two Norman mottes near Carnlough –Doonan Fort and Dungallan Fort.

A passage called The Goat’s Parlour leads to Drumnasle Waterfalls.

Glencorp – Glen of the Dead

Glencorp is a small glen.

The name of this glen, meaning Glen of the Dead or Glen of the Bodies is apt because there is a Bronze age barrow burial ground in the townland of Falnaglass.

“Antrim Glens” by Will Bakker is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Glendun – Brown Glen

Glendun is a quiet and peaceful glen.

Cregagh Wood lies within the glen.The Altar in the Wood bears witness to the history of the area. It dates back to Penal times when Catholics were forbidden to attend mass. The Altar in the Wood is a rock carved with a scene from the crucifixion and was used by Catholics celebrating mass in secret.

“Glendun” by Lindy Buckley is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Glendun Viaduct

In 1836, the then twenty -two year old architect Charles Lanyon designed Glendun viaduct, which crosses the River Dun.

“Glendun” by Lindy Buckley is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Glenshesk – Glen of the Sedges (Reeds)

Glenshesk lies to the south of Knocklayde Mountain.

There is a forest park in Glenshesk.Rathlin Island and Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre can be seen from the coast of the glen.

The Glenshesk River joins the sea at Ballycastle, a seaside town popular with tourists and surfers.

“Torr Head” by Giuseppe Milo is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Glentaisie – Named after Taisie, Princess of Rathlin Island

Glentaisie is the most northerly of the glens. It is on the western side of Knocklayde Mountain.

Taisie, the daughter of King Donn of Rathlin Island, is said to have lived in the area more than 2000 years ago.

Legend has it that Taisie was so beautiful, Nabhogdon, the King of Norway, brought an army to Rathlin to fight for her hand in marriage. In the battle that ensued, Nabhogdon was killed by Congal, High King elect of Ireland.

“View from Ballintoy” by William Marnoch is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Glentaisie

Another famous legend featuring Glentaisie is that of ‘The Children of Lir’.

When the four children of King Lir, (Fionnuala and her brothers Aodh, Conn and Fiachra) were turned to swans by their stepmother Aoife, they spent three hundred years on the Sea of Moyle. The Sea of Moyle is in the Glentaisie area. The stretch of water was cold and stormy and the swans were buffeted by the winds and rocked by the waves. It was a hard life.

In the 16th Century (1565), Glentaisie was the site of a battle between the warring O’Neills, (led by Shane O’Neill) and the MacDonnell’s (led by brothers James, Sorley Boy and Angus).