Larne
Encyclopedia
Larne is a substantial seaport and industrial market town
on the east coast of County Antrim
, Northern Ireland
with a population of 18,228 people in the 2001 Census
. As of 2011, there are about 31,000 residents in the greater Larne area. It has been used as a seaport for over 1,000 years, and is today a major passenger and freight roll-on roll-off port. Larne is twinned with Clover, South Carolina
.
Larne is administered by Larne Borough Council
. Together with the neighbouring district of Carrickfergus
and part of Newtownabbey
, it forms the East Antrim constituency
for elections to the Westminster Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly
.
. The early coastal dwellers are thought to have had a sophisticated culture which involved trading between the shores of the North Channel
and between other settlements on the coasts of Scotland
. Archaeological digs in the area have found flint
work and other artefacts which have been assigned dates from 6000 BC onwards. The term Larnian has even been coined by archaeologists to describe such flintworks and similar artefacts of the Mesolithic
era (and one time to describe Mesolithic culture in Ireland as a whole).
The oldest known recorded Irish name for Larne Lough
was Loch Ollarbha or Inbhear nOllarbha (Ollarbha Rivermouth), from Ollarbha the ancient name of the Larne Water. It is also recorded that the Roman Emperor Serverus described how, in 204AD, a Roman slave galley bound for Scotland was blown off course and took shelter in a place that they called Portus Saxa (the Port of the Standing Stones
) - this is thought to have been Larne Lough. The ancient Greeks also had knowledge of the Antrim Coast and Ptolemy
, the astronomer and geographer of the 2nd century AD, referred to Islandmagee
on one of his maps.
In mediaeval times Lathar
, daughter/son [?] of Hugony the Great
(according to legend, High King of Ireland
and reputed ruler of much of the British Isles), was reputedly given a small territory by her/his father which stretched along the Antrim coast roughly from Glenarm
to the Inver River - this territory was thus called Latharna (the lands of Lathar). The area where the modern town sits was known in Irish as Inbhear an Latharna (meaning the "river mouth of Latharna") and in English as Inver Larne or simply Inver. (The territorial name of "Latharna" was only applied exclusively to the location of the present town in recent centuries.)
The area at one point came under threat from Viking
raids. Viking burial sites have been found in Larne, and artefacts such as Viking-type swords found in Larne have been dated to the tenth century AD. It is generally thought that the Vikings established a base at Larne for a time, and that the Norse name for Larne Lough
was Ulfreksfjord (named after one of their Norse kings). According to Snorri, the Norse historian
, Connor, King of Ireland, defeated the raiding Orkney Vikings at Ulfreksfjord in 1018. This suggests that some of Anglo-Norman names for the Larne area, such as Wulfrickford had a Norse origin.
In later Anglo-Norman
records the name for Larne Lough was spelt as Wulvricheford, Wulfrickford, Wokingisfyrth, Wolderfirth, Wolverflete, Ulderfleet, Ulderfleete and Wulfricchford in various records, eventually settling down to Olderfleet. P.W. Joyce in his Irish Names of Places states that it is probable that in the first element of "Olderfleet" is the ancient Irish name of the Larne water, Ollorbha, with the second element being a corruption of the word "fiord
" (a long narrow arm of the sea, running up between high banks or cliffs, as on the coast of Norway
)
In the 13th Century the Scots-Irish Bissett family
built Olderfleet Castle at Curran Point. In 1315 Edward the Bruce of Scotland (brother of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland) landed at Larne with his 6000 strong army en route to conquer Ireland, where Olderfleet Castle was of strategic importance. Edward saw Ireland as another front in the ongoing war against Norman England.
In 1569 Queen Elizabeth I, Queen of England and Ireland, appointed Sir Moyses Hill
as the governor of Olderfleet Castle. It was seen as strategically important for any Tudor conquest of Ulster. Following the 17th century Union of the Crowns
of Scotland, England and Ireland under James VI & I many more settlers would have arrived to Ulster via Larne during the Plantation of Ulster
. The area around County Antrim itself, however, was not part of the official 17th century Plantation; instead many Scottish settlers arrived in the area through private settlement in the 17th century (as they had also been doing for centuries before).
During the 18th century many Irish emigrated to America from the port of Larne. A monument in Smiley Park commemorates the Friends Goodwill, the first emigrant ship to sail from Larne in May 1717, heading for Boston, New England
in the modern United States. Boston's long standing Irish roots can be traced to Larne. As with western and southern Ireland and unlike some areas of north–east (Antrim, Down
, Louth
and North Dublin) and eastern Ireland (South Dublin, Wicklow
) this was a town stricken by the Irish Famine of the mid 19th century.
In 1914, Loyalists
opposed to the Home Rule Act 1914
prepared for armed resistance. In an episode known as the Larne Gun Running
German weapons and ammunition were transported into the port of Larne in the dead of night and distributed throughout Ulster. This event marked a major step in cementing the right to Ulster Unionist self-determination
, with the recognition of such a right ultimately leading to the creation of Northern Ireland
.
had a significant paramilitary presence in the town, mostly through the presence of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Ulster Defence Association
(UDA). For further information see UDA South East Antrim Brigade
.
to the sea. On the eastern side of the inlet is a peninsula
called Islandmagee
. To the west of Larne is the ancient volcanic formation of Antrim Plateau, with its glaciated valleys scenically sweeping down to the sea the to the north of Larne in what are known as the Glens of Antrim
. Larne is 25 miles from the Scottish mainland, with stunning views across the North Channel
towards the Mull of Kintyre
, Rhins of Galloway
, Islay
and Paps of Jura
often visible from the Larne area - this proximity to Scotland
has had a defining influence on Larne's history and culture.
The town is within the small parish
of the same name. Like the rest of Ireland, this parish has long been divided into townland
s, whose names mostly come from the Irish language
. Over time, more rural townlands have been built upon and they have given their names to many roads and housing estates. The following is a list of townlands within Larne's urban area, alongside their likely etymologies
:
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
A variety of shops can be found mainly along Larne Main Street, Dunluce Street, Laharna Retail Park, and large supermarkets off the Harbour Highway near the harbour. A variety market
is also held every Wednesday at the Larne Market Yard.
Primary Schools:
Secondary Schools:
Further education:
s under the Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847
, and are responsible to Larne Harbour Ltd. Jurisdiction of the constables extends to one mile beyond the Harbour Complex. The force are subject to the oversight of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.
in Afghanistan
in 2006, involving the Royal Irish Regiment, a new regimental march, composed by Chris Attrill and commissioned by Larne Borough Council
, was gifted to the regiment on Saturday 1 November 2008 in Larne, during an event in which the regiment was also presented with the 'Freedom of the Borough
'.
This gave the regiment the right to march through the towns of the borough with 'flags flying, bands playing and bayonets fixed'. The march was named Musa Qala.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
on the east coast of County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
with a population of 18,228 people in the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
. As of 2011, there are about 31,000 residents in the greater Larne area. It has been used as a seaport for over 1,000 years, and is today a major passenger and freight roll-on roll-off port. Larne is twinned with Clover, South Carolina
Clover, South Carolina
Clover is a town in York County, South Carolina, United States located in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan area. As of July 2009, the population was at 5,158 within the town limits....
.
Larne is administered by Larne Borough Council
Larne Borough Council
Larne Borough Council is a Local Council in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Its headquarters is in the town of Larne and the population of the area is nearly 31,000...
. Together with the neighbouring district of Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
and part of Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey is a large town north of Belfast in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Sometimes considered to be a suburb of Belfast, it is separated from the rest of the city by Cavehill and Fortwilliam golf course...
, it forms the East Antrim constituency
East Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)
East Antrim is a Parliamentary Constituency in the House of Commons and also an Assembly constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. It has voted for Unionist candidates since its re-creation in 1983.-Boundaries:...
for elections to the Westminster Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly
Northern Ireland Assembly
The Northern Ireland Assembly is the devolved legislature of Northern Ireland. It has power to legislate in a wide range of areas that are not explicitly reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and to appoint the Northern Ireland Executive...
.
History
The coastal area around Larne has been inhabited for millennia, and it thought to have been one of the earliest inhabited areas of Ireland, with these early human populations believed to have arrived from Scotland via the North ChannelNorth Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)
The North Channel is the strait which separates eastern Northern Ireland from southwestern Scotland...
. The early coastal dwellers are thought to have had a sophisticated culture which involved trading between the shores of the North Channel
North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)
The North Channel is the strait which separates eastern Northern Ireland from southwestern Scotland...
and between other settlements on the coasts of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Archaeological digs in the area have found flint
Flint
Flint is a hard, sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as a variety of chert. It occurs chiefly as nodules and masses in sedimentary rocks, such as chalks and limestones. Inside the nodule, flint is usually dark grey, black, green, white, or brown in colour, and...
work and other artefacts which have been assigned dates from 6000 BC onwards. The term Larnian has even been coined by archaeologists to describe such flintworks and similar artefacts of the Mesolithic
Mesolithic
The Mesolithic is an archaeological concept used to refer to certain groups of archaeological cultures defined as falling between the Paleolithic and the Neolithic....
era (and one time to describe Mesolithic culture in Ireland as a whole).
The oldest known recorded Irish name for Larne Lough
Larne Lough
Larne Lough is a sea lough or inlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The lough lies between Islandmagee and the mainland. At its mouth is the town of Larne...
was Loch Ollarbha or Inbhear nOllarbha (Ollarbha Rivermouth), from Ollarbha the ancient name of the Larne Water. It is also recorded that the Roman Emperor Serverus described how, in 204AD, a Roman slave galley bound for Scotland was blown off course and took shelter in a place that they called Portus Saxa (the Port of the Standing Stones
Standing stone
Standing stones, orthostats, liths, or more commonly megaliths are solitary stones set vertically in the ground and come in many different varieties....
) - this is thought to have been Larne Lough. The ancient Greeks also had knowledge of the Antrim Coast and Ptolemy
Ptolemy
Claudius Ptolemy , was a Roman citizen of Egypt who wrote in Greek. He was a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet of a single epigram in the Greek Anthology. He lived in Egypt under Roman rule, and is believed to have been born in the town of Ptolemais Hermiou in the...
, the astronomer and geographer of the 2nd century AD, referred to Islandmagee
Islandmagee
Islandmagee is a peninsula on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, located between the towns of Larne and Carrickfergus. It is part of the Larne Borough Council area and is a sparsely populated rural community with a long history since the mesolithic period.As part of an...
on one of his maps.
In mediaeval times Lathar
Lathar
Lathar was a daughter of Úgaine Mór, a High King of Ireland during pre-Christian times. Ugaine reputedly gave Lathar a stretch of land along the coast of Aontreibh, from Gleann Airm to the Inbhear; what would one day make Latharna....
, daughter/son [?] of Hugony the Great
Úgaine Mor
Úgaine Mór , son of Eochu Buadach, son of Dui Ladrach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He was the foster-son of Cimbáeth and Macha Mong Ruad, and took power by killing his predecessor, and his foster-mother's killer, Rechtaid Rígderg...
(according to legend, High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
and reputed ruler of much of the British Isles), was reputedly given a small territory by her/his father which stretched along the Antrim coast roughly from Glenarm
Glenarm
Glenarm is a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies on the North Channel coast north of the town of Larne and the village of Ballygalley, and south of the village of Carnlough. It had a population of 582 people in the 2001 Census. Glenarm takes it name from the glen in which it lies,...
to the Inver River - this territory was thus called Latharna (the lands of Lathar). The area where the modern town sits was known in Irish as Inbhear an Latharna (meaning the "river mouth of Latharna") and in English as Inver Larne or simply Inver. (The territorial name of "Latharna" was only applied exclusively to the location of the present town in recent centuries.)
The area at one point came under threat from Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
raids. Viking burial sites have been found in Larne, and artefacts such as Viking-type swords found in Larne have been dated to the tenth century AD. It is generally thought that the Vikings established a base at Larne for a time, and that the Norse name for Larne Lough
Larne Lough
Larne Lough is a sea lough or inlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The lough lies between Islandmagee and the mainland. At its mouth is the town of Larne...
was Ulfreksfjord (named after one of their Norse kings). According to Snorri, the Norse historian
Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing...
, Connor, King of Ireland, defeated the raiding Orkney Vikings at Ulfreksfjord in 1018. This suggests that some of Anglo-Norman names for the Larne area, such as Wulfrickford had a Norse origin.
In later Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
records the name for Larne Lough was spelt as Wulvricheford, Wulfrickford, Wokingisfyrth, Wolderfirth, Wolverflete, Ulderfleet, Ulderfleete and Wulfricchford in various records, eventually settling down to Olderfleet. P.W. Joyce in his Irish Names of Places states that it is probable that in the first element of "Olderfleet" is the ancient Irish name of the Larne water, Ollorbha, with the second element being a corruption of the word "fiord
Fjord
Geologically, a fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created in a valley carved by glacial activity.-Formation:A fjord is formed when a glacier cuts a U-shaped valley by abrasion of the surrounding bedrock. Glacial melting is accompanied by rebound of Earth's crust as the ice...
" (a long narrow arm of the sea, running up between high banks or cliffs, as on the coast of Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
)
In the 13th Century the Scots-Irish Bissett family
Bissett family (Ireland)
The history of the Bissett family in Ireland can be studied independently from that of the originally identical family in Scotland, because of their unique experience following their arrival in Ulster in the early or mid-13th century...
built Olderfleet Castle at Curran Point. In 1315 Edward the Bruce of Scotland (brother of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland) landed at Larne with his 6000 strong army en route to conquer Ireland, where Olderfleet Castle was of strategic importance. Edward saw Ireland as another front in the ongoing war against Norman England.
In 1569 Queen Elizabeth I, Queen of England and Ireland, appointed Sir Moyses Hill
Moyses Hill
Sir Moyses Hill was an English army officer who served in Ireland and later settled in Ireland. He was the Governor of Olderfleet Castle, Mareschal of Carrickfergus, Provost Mareschal of Ulster and represented Antrim in the English parliament....
as the governor of Olderfleet Castle. It was seen as strategically important for any Tudor conquest of Ulster. Following the 17th century Union of the Crowns
Union of the Crowns
The Union of the Crowns was the accession of James VI, King of Scots, to the throne of England, and the consequential unification of Scotland and England under one monarch. The Union of Crowns followed the death of James' unmarried and childless first cousin twice removed, Queen Elizabeth I of...
of Scotland, England and Ireland under James VI & I many more settlers would have arrived to Ulster via Larne during the Plantation of Ulster
Plantation of Ulster
The Plantation of Ulster was the organised colonisation of Ulster—a province of Ireland—by people from Great Britain. Private plantation by wealthy landowners began in 1606, while official plantation controlled by King James I of England and VI of Scotland began in 1609...
. The area around County Antrim itself, however, was not part of the official 17th century Plantation; instead many Scottish settlers arrived in the area through private settlement in the 17th century (as they had also been doing for centuries before).
During the 18th century many Irish emigrated to America from the port of Larne. A monument in Smiley Park commemorates the Friends Goodwill, the first emigrant ship to sail from Larne in May 1717, heading for Boston, New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
in the modern United States. Boston's long standing Irish roots can be traced to Larne. As with western and southern Ireland and unlike some areas of north–east (Antrim, Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
and North Dublin) and eastern Ireland (South Dublin, Wicklow
Wicklow
Wicklow) is the county town of County Wicklow in Ireland. Located south of Dublin on the east coast of the island, it has a population of 10,070 according to the 2006 census. The town is situated to the east of the N11 route between Dublin and Wexford. Wicklow is also connected to the rail...
) this was a town stricken by the Irish Famine of the mid 19th century.
In 1914, Loyalists
Ulster loyalism
Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
opposed to the Home Rule Act 1914
Home Rule Act 1914
The Government of Ireland Act 1914 , also known as the Third Home Rule Bill, was an Act passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom intended to provide self-government for Ireland within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.The Act was the first law ever passed by the Parliament of...
prepared for armed resistance. In an episode known as the Larne Gun Running
Larne Gun Running
The Larne gun-running was a major gun smuggling operation organised in Ireland by Major Frederick H. Crawford and Captain Wilfrid Spender for the Ulster Unionist Council to equip the Ulster Volunteer Force...
German weapons and ammunition were transported into the port of Larne in the dead of night and distributed throughout Ulster. This event marked a major step in cementing the right to Ulster Unionist self-determination
Self-determination
Self-determination is the principle in international law that nations have the right to freely choose their sovereignty and international political status with no external compulsion or external interference...
, with the recognition of such a right ultimately leading to the creation of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
The Troubles
Larne throughout the course of The TroublesThe Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
had a significant paramilitary presence in the town, mostly through the presence of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Ulster Defence Association
Ulster Defence Association
The Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
(UDA). For further information see UDA South East Antrim Brigade
UDA South East Antrim Brigade
The UDA South East Antrim Brigade was one of the six paramilitaries of the Ulster Defence Association . It operated in County Antrim, mainly in Newtownabbey, Larne and Antrim. The Guardian has identified it as "one of the most dangerous factions"...
.
Geography
Larne sits on the western side of a narrow inlet that links Larne LoughLarne Lough
Larne Lough is a sea lough or inlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The lough lies between Islandmagee and the mainland. At its mouth is the town of Larne...
to the sea. On the eastern side of the inlet is a peninsula
Peninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
called Islandmagee
Islandmagee
Islandmagee is a peninsula on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, located between the towns of Larne and Carrickfergus. It is part of the Larne Borough Council area and is a sparsely populated rural community with a long history since the mesolithic period.As part of an...
. To the west of Larne is the ancient volcanic formation of Antrim Plateau, with its glaciated valleys scenically sweeping down to the sea the to the north of Larne in what are known as the Glens of Antrim
Glens of Antrim
The Glens of Antrim , known locally as simply The Glens, is a region of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It comprises nine glens , 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...
. Larne is 25 miles from the Scottish mainland, with stunning views across the North Channel
North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)
The North Channel is the strait which separates eastern Northern Ireland from southwestern Scotland...
towards the Mull of Kintyre
Mull of Kintyre
The Mull of Kintyre is the southwesternmost tip of the Kintyre Peninsula in southwest Scotland. From here, the Antrim coast is visible and an historic lighthouse, the second commissioned in Scotland, guides shipping in the intervening North Channel...
, Rhins of Galloway
Rhins of Galloway
The Rhins of Galloway is a hammer-head peninsula in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland...
, Islay
Islay
-Prehistory:The earliest settlers on Islay were nomadic hunter-gatherers who arrived during the Mesolithic period after the retreat of the Pleistocene ice caps. In 1993 a flint arrowhead was found in a field near Bridgend dating from 10,800 BC, the earliest evidence of a human presence found so far...
and Paps of Jura
Paps of Jura
The Paps of Jura are three mountains located on the western side of island of Jura, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Their highest point is ....
often visible from the Larne area - this proximity to Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
has had a defining influence on Larne's history and culture.
The town is within the small parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
of the same name. Like the rest of Ireland, this parish has long been divided into townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
s, whose names mostly come from the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
. Over time, more rural townlands have been built upon and they have given their names to many roads and housing estates. The following is a list of townlands within Larne's urban area, alongside their likely etymologies
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
:
- Antiville (likely from an Tigh Bhile meaning "the house of the old tree")
- Ballyboley (likely from Baile Buaile meaning "townland of the booley/dairy place")
- Ballycraigy (likely from Baile Creige meaning "townland of the rocky outcrop")
- Ballyloran (likely from Baile Loairn meaning "Loarn's townland")
- Blackcave North
- Blackcave South
- Curran and Drumaliss (likely from Córran meaning "crescent" and Druim a' Lios meaning "ridge of the ringfort")
- Greenland
- Inver (likely from Inbhear meaning "rivermouth")
Places of interest
- The town has several parks:
- The Town Park sits above the picturesque Promenade area with walks towards the Chaine Memorial TowerChaine MemorialThe Chaine Memorial Tower is a memorial to James Chaine, a former Member of Parliament for Larne, County Antrim. It is a cylindrical stone tower lighthouse with a conical roof, situated on the west side of entrance to Larne Lough...
at Sandy Bay - a lighthouse and memorial to the founder of Larne Harbour sea route to Scotland. The Leisure Centre is nearby. - The Chaine Park contains the burial site of James Chaine and offers picturesque views over the North ChannelNorth Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)The North Channel is the strait which separates eastern Northern Ireland from southwestern Scotland...
. - The Curran park has a large children's play area, bowling facilities and camping. There are also tributes to emigrants to North America and Larne's connections with North America.
- The Dixon Park contains a 2 hectare open green space area with bandstand.
- Smiley park is a small park in the centre of the town also with tributes to emigrants to North America who left from the port of Larne.
- Playing fields and cricket grounds at Sandy Bay.
- Carnfunnock Country ParkCarnfunnock Country ParkCarnfunnock Country Park is a park at Drains Bay, near Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is situated on the A2 Antrim Coast Road, 3.5 miles north of Larne...
, 3.5 miles north of Larne is a large site with camping, caravanning, gardens, maze of Northern Ireland, sundials, children's play area, mini-golf, 9 hole pitch and puttPitch and puttPitch and putt is an amateur sport, similar to golf. The maximum hole length for international competitions is with a maximum total course length of . Players may only use three clubs; one of which must be a putter...
golf course, clay pigeon shooting, orienteering course, and walks.
- The Town Park sits above the picturesque Promenade area with walks towards the Chaine Memorial Tower
- Larne Leisure Centre offers a 25m indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna, weights, fitness, sports hall and theatre. It is situated at Sandy Bay near the picturesque Promenade area.
- Larne Museum & Arts Centre, situated in the Carnegie Centre in the centre of the town.
- Olderfleet Castle is the ruins of a 13th century castle at Curran Point, near the Chaine Memorial Tower.
- Cairndhu Golf Course is an 18 hole course situated atop of Ballygally Head. Larne Golf Course on sits atop of the IslandmageeIslandmageeIslandmagee is a peninsula on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, located between the towns of Larne and Carrickfergus. It is part of the Larne Borough Council area and is a sparsely populated rural community with a long history since the mesolithic period.As part of an...
peninsula - Nearby sandy beaches at:
- Sandy Bay (small beach)
- Drains BayDrains BayDrains Bay is a small residential and commuter village on the County Antrim coast approximately north of Larne, Northern Ireland.-Name:The name is an anglicisation of the original name of Drinns Bay, which refers to the blackthorn which grew profusely in the area.-Features:The village is largely...
, just to the northern edge of the town. - Ballygally, 5 miles north from centre of Larne. Ballygally Beach has recently won top awards for cleanliness and is rated to have top water quality for bathing.
- Browns BayBrowns Bay, Northern IrelandBrowns Bay is a small sandy bay on the northern tip of the Islandmagee peninsula, near Larne in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It has a caravan and camping park....
at the tip of IslandmageeIslandmageeIslandmagee is a peninsula on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, located between the towns of Larne and Carrickfergus. It is part of the Larne Borough Council area and is a sparsely populated rural community with a long history since the mesolithic period.As part of an...
offers camping and caravanning. - GlenarmGlenarmGlenarm is a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies on the North Channel coast north of the town of Larne and the village of Ballygalley, and south of the village of Carnlough. It had a population of 582 people in the 2001 Census. Glenarm takes it name from the glen in which it lies,...
, 10 miles north from centre of Larne. - CarnloughCarnloughCarnlough is a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It has a picturesque harbour on the shores of Carnlough Bay. Carnlough is situated on the Coast Road beside the North Channel and at the foot of Glencloy, the second of the nine Glens of Antrim...
, 12 miles north from centre of Larne.
- Waterfalls and forest walk are at nearby GlenoeGlenoeGlenoe or Gleno is a hamlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is halfway between Larne and Carrickfergus. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 87 people. Glenoe is in the Larne Borough Council area.-Places of interest:...
, 5 miles inland. - MagheramorneMagheramorneMagheramorne is a hamlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is about 5 miles south of Larne on the shores of Larne Lough. It had a population of 75 people in the 2001 Census. It is within the Larne Borough Council area....
, 5 miles to the south along Larne LoughLarne LoughLarne Lough is a sea lough or inlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The lough lies between Islandmagee and the mainland. At its mouth is the town of Larne...
, has a marina; a Moutainbiking course and an all-Ireland diving centre are currently under construction at the old Magheramorne lime quarry and cement works. The film studio at MagheramorneMagheramorneMagheramorne is a hamlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is about 5 miles south of Larne on the shores of Larne Lough. It had a population of 75 people in the 2001 Census. It is within the Larne Borough Council area....
was used to film much of HBO TV Series Game of ThronesGame of Thrones (TV series)Game of Thrones is an American medieval fantasy television series created for HBO by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Based on author George R. R. Martin's best-selling A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels, the first of which is called A Game of Thrones, the television series debuted in...
, where the quarry wall was used as a back-drop for much of the series, along with scenery at the Antrim Plateau near Cairncastle. - Diving tours are also available off the coast. The lighthouse on The Maidens rocks hosts a colony of seals. Numerous coastal bird species and other wildlife such as otters, whales and dolphins are often visible along the Larne coastal area.
- Castle and estate of the Earl of Antrim in the nearby fishing village of GlenarmGlenarmGlenarm is a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies on the North Channel coast north of the town of Larne and the village of Ballygalley, and south of the village of Carnlough. It had a population of 582 people in the 2001 Census. Glenarm takes it name from the glen in which it lies,...
, 12 miles north, has walled gardens and often hosts Ulster Scots cultural events such as the Dalriada Festival and Highland GamesHighland gamesHighland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &(-è_çà in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain...
. - Larne LoughLarne LoughLarne Lough is a sea lough or inlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The lough lies between Islandmagee and the mainland. At its mouth is the town of Larne...
is a protected bird-watching area and designated Special Protection Area, Area of Special Scientific Interest and Ramsar wetland site to protect both birds and shellfish. - There are numerous stables horse-riding facilities in the area and pony trekking tours are available.
Demographics
Larne is classified as a Large Town by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. with population between 18,000 and 75,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 18,228 people living in Larne. Of these:- 20.9% were aged under 16 years and 21.2% were aged 60 and over
- 48.2% of the population were male and 51.8% were female
- 26.2% were from a CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
background and 70.7% were from a ProtestantProtestantismProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
background. - 4.3% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
Industry & Commerce
- Ballylumford power stationBallylumford power stationBallylumford power station is a natural gas-fired power station in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. With its main plant generating 600 megawatts of electricity, it is Northern Ireland's largest power station and provides half of the country's power. Overall the station produces 1316MW...
- Northern Ireland's main power station, providing half of all Northern Ireland's electricity. - Headquarters of FG Wilson (Engineering) Ltd. (part of the Caterpillar groupCaterpillar Inc.Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
) - a major employer in Northern Ireland and manufacturer of diesel and gas generators. - InspecVision Ltd. - Industrial Inspection Equipment.
- Ivex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. - manufacturer of intravenous drip solutions.
- LEDCOM (Larne Enterprise Development Company) and business park
- B9 Energy - renewable energy development
- Wind NI - wind power development solutions
A variety of shops can be found mainly along Larne Main Street, Dunluce Street, Laharna Retail Park, and large supermarkets off the Harbour Highway near the harbour. A variety market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
is also held every Wednesday at the Larne Market Yard.
Transport
- Ferries sail from the harbour to destinations including CairnryanCairnryanCairnryan is a small Scottish village in Dumfries and Galloway on the eastern shore of Loch Ryan. The village has been of vital importance in maritime history.-Ferry Port:...
and TroonTroonTroon is a town in South Ayrshire. It is situated on the west coast of Scotland, about eight miles north of Ayr and three miles northwest of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Lying across the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Arran can be seen. Troon is also a port with freight and ferry services...
in Scotland, FleetwoodFleetwoodFleetwood is a town within the Wyre district of Lancashire, England, lying at the northwest corner of the Fylde. It had a population of 26,840 people at the 2001 Census. It forms part of the Greater Blackpool conurbation. The town was the first planned community of the Victorian era...
in England and DouglasDouglas, Isle of Manright|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
on the Isle of ManIsle of ManThe Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
. A freight-only service operates to HeyshamHeyshamHeysham is a large coastal village near Lancaster in the county of Lancashire, England. Overlooking Morecambe Bay, it is a ferry port with services to the Isle of Man and Ireland. Heysham is the site of two nuclear power stations which are landmarks visible from hills in the surrounding area...
. Passenger services are operated by P&OP&O Irish SeaP&O Irish Sea was the trading name of P&O Ferries in the Irish Sea from 1998 - 2010. It has now merged back to being P&O Ferries.-History:P&O Irish Sea was formed in 1998, following the merger of the Cairnryan-based service of P&O European Ferries Ltd and Pandoro...
, Stena LineStena LineStena Line is one of the world's largest ferry operators, with ferry services serving Scotland, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Norway, England, Wales, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Stena Line is a major unit of Stena AB, itself a part of the Stena Sphere, a grouping of Stena AB,...
and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The P&OP&O Irish SeaP&O Irish Sea was the trading name of P&O Ferries in the Irish Sea from 1998 - 2010. It has now merged back to being P&O Ferries.-History:P&O Irish Sea was formed in 1998, following the merger of the Cairnryan-based service of P&O European Ferries Ltd and Pandoro...
ferry company describes the crossings from Larne to Scotland as "the shortest, fastest crossings" due to the close proximty that Larne has to Scotland, and that the fast ferry to CairnryanCairnryanCairnryan is a small Scottish village in Dumfries and Galloway on the eastern shore of Loch Ryan. The village has been of vital importance in maritime history.-Ferry Port:...
takes only one hour. - Larne is connected to BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
by the A8 road. The A2 roadA2 road (Northern Ireland)The A2 is a major road in Northern Ireland, a large section of which is often called the Antrim Coast Road because it follows the scenic coastline of County Antrim....
or 'Antrim coast road' which runs along the Antrim coast, and passes through the scenic Glens of AntrimGlens of AntrimThe Glens of Antrim , known locally as simply The Glens, is a region of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It comprises nine glens , 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...
, also serves the town. South of the town the A2 passes the side of Larne LoughLarne LoughLarne Lough is a sea lough or inlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The lough lies between Islandmagee and the mainland. At its mouth is the town of Larne...
, via GlynnGlynnGlynn is a small village in the Larne Borough Council area of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies a short distance south of Larne, on the shore of Larne Lough. Glynn had a population of 641 people in the 2001 Census.-History:...
, MagheramorneMagheramorneMagheramorne is a hamlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is about 5 miles south of Larne on the shores of Larne Lough. It had a population of 75 people in the 2001 Census. It is within the Larne Borough Council area....
, and BallycarryBallycarryBallycarry is a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is midway between Larne and Carrickfergus, overlooking Islandmagee. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 981.-Archaeology:...
, to WhiteheadWhitehead, County AntrimWhitehead is a small seaside town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, lying almost midway between the towns of Carrickfergus and Larne. It lies within the civil parishes of Island Magee and Templecorran, the barony of Belfast Lower, and is part of Carrickfergus Borough Council...
and CarrickfergusCarrickfergusCarrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
. The A36 roadA36 road (Northern Ireland)The A36 is a road in Northern Ireland. It travels through County Antrim, connecting the large towns of Ballymena and Larne.The road is a single-carriageway primary route.-Route:The A36 commences at the Junction 10 roundabout of the M2 Ballymena by-pass...
runs from the town to BallymenaBallymenaBallymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
. - A railway route to Belfast, via Whitehead and Carrickfergus, also connects Larne to the Northern Ireland RailwaysNorthern Ireland RailwaysNI Railways, also known as Northern Ireland Railways and for a brief period of time, Ulster Transport Railways , is the railway operator in Northern Ireland...
networkRail transport in IrelandRail services in Ireland are provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland.Most routes in the Republic radiate from Dublin...
. Currently there is no freight transport by rail in Northern Ireland. Both Larne Town railway stationLarne Town railway stationLarne Town railway station serves Larne in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The station was opened on 1 October 1862. Goods traffic ceased on 4 January 1965...
and Larne Harbour railway stationLarne Harbour railway stationLarne Harbour railway station, Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, serves the ferry port for ferries to Cairnryan and Troon, Scotland and Fleetwood, England...
opened on 1 October 1862 and closed for goods traffic on 4 January 1965. - The Ballymena and Larne RailwayBallymena and Larne RailwayThe Ballymena and Larne Railway was a narrow gauge railway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The first part opened in July 1877 and regular passenger services began in August 1878, the first on the three foot Irish narrow gauge...
was a narrow gauge railway. It opened in 1878, was closed to passengers in 1933 and finally completely closed in 1950.
Education
There are a number of educational establishments in the area:Primary Schools:
- Antiville Primary School
- Cairncastle Primary School
- Corran Integrated Primary School
- Glynn Primary School
- Linn Primary School
- Larne & Inver Primary School
- Moyle Primary School
- Olderfleet Primary School
- St. Anthony's Primary School
- St. Macnissi's Primary School
- St. Mary's Primary SchoolSt. Mary's Primary School-Australia:*St. Mary's Primary School, Sale, Victoria, Australia*St. Mary's Primary School, Williamstown, Victoria, Australia*St. Mary's Primary School, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia-England:*St...
- Toreagh Primary School
Secondary Schools:
- Larne Grammar SchoolLarne Grammar SchoolLarne Grammar School is a co-education voluntary grammar school located in Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1886 by Sir Edward Coey and John Crawford, it has around 760 pupils and 50 teaching staff.-Past Headmasters:R.M Jones...
- Larne High SchoolLarne High SchoolLarne High School is a secondary school in Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.The foundation stone on the High School site was laid on 26 July 1955, and the school opened in September 1957. It was then known as Greenland Intermediate Secondary School and was the first of its type in County Antrim...
- St Killian's CollegeSt Killian's CollegeSt Killian's College is an all ability co-educational school that was formed by the amalgamation of three schools in the Larne and Ballymena area, St MacNissi's College, Garron Tower, St Comgall's College, Larne and St Aloysius High School, Cushendall.St Killian's is currently operating from two...
(recent amalgamation of St. Comgall's College and St. MacNissi's College, Garron Tower)
Further education:
- Northern Regional CollegeNorthern Regional CollegeNorthern Regional College is a third-level educational institution in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The college has eight campuses around the north-east of Northern Ireland ; Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Felden, Larne, Magherafelt and Newtownabbey.- History :The college was set up...
(formerly Larne Technical College)
Public Services
- Larne Fire Station
- Larne Library
- Larne Police Station
- Larne Ambulance Station
- Moyle Hospital (limited services after closure of accident & emergency)
- RNLI Larne Lifeboat Station
Larne Harbour Police
Larne Harbour Police is a small specialised police force, with approximately seven officers, responsible for policing Larne Harbour 24 hours per day. The officers of the force are sworn in as special constableSpecial constable
A Special Constable is a law enforcement officer who is not a regular member of a police force. Some like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police carry the same law enforcement powers as regular members, but are employed in specific roles, such as explosive disposal technicians, court security, campus...
s under the Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847
Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847
The Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom which governs harbors, docks, and piers.-Port police:...
, and are responsible to Larne Harbour Ltd. Jurisdiction of the constables extends to one mile beyond the Harbour Complex. The force are subject to the oversight of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.
Notable people
- Aaron Black, Footballer
- Billy BrownBilly Brown (Irish musician)William Brown was an Irish musician and artist. He is best remembered as a singer, saxophonist and pianist with The Freshmen, one of Ireland's most popular showbands of the 1960s and 1970s....
, Musician - Father Pat Buckley, Independent Catholic priest.
- Michael Gregory CampbellMichael Gregory CampbellMichael Gregory Campbell, OSA is an English prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as Bishop of Lancaster.-Publications:Bishop Campbell is the author of a number of book, all published by St Pauls, London:...
, Bishop of Lancster - Dave ClementsDave ClementsDave Clements in Larne in County Antrim, was a football player and manager from Northern Ireland. He started his career as a left winger but also played as a defensive midfielder and left full back throughout a career which lasted from 1964 to 1976 in which time he played for Coventry City,...
, Footballer and football manager. - Fyfe EwingFyfe EwingFyfe Alexander Ewing , is best known as the original drummer and founding member of rock band Therapy?.-Therapy?:...
, Musician, Drummer, formerly with rock band Therapy?Therapy?Therapy? is an alternative metal band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist–vocalist Andy Cairns from Ballyclare and drummer-vocalist Fyfe Ewing from Larne, Northern Ireland. The band initially recorded their first demo with Cairns filling in on bass guitar... - Robert FergusonFergie (DJ)Fergie is an Northern Irish DJ and electronic music artist from Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Initially playing hard house in his early career, he is now better known for breaks and techno....
, Disc jockeyDisc jockeyA disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys... - Keith GillespieKeith GillespieKeith Robert Gillespie is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays in midfield for Longford Town....
, Sheffield United and Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland national football teamThe Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
midfielder. - Mark HagganMark HagganMark Haggan is a UK-based businessman and charity activist, particularly in the fields of student volunteering, education and international development...
, Businessman & Charity activist - Richard HaywardRichard HaywardRichard Hayward was an Irish film actor, writer and musician. Born in Larne, he was an enthusiast for all Ulster regional popular culture. After a period working at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin he helped form the Belfast Repertory Theatre Company. He was a popular singer in the forties and fifties...
, actor, singer and author - Valerie HobsonValerie HobsonValerie Hobson was a British actress who appeared in a number of British films during the 1940s and 1950s...
, actress - Jeff HughesJeff Hughes (footballer)Jeff Hughes is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a left sided midfielder. He has also played internationally for Northern Ireland, making his debut during their summer tour of the United States of America...
, Footballer - Michael Hughes, WimbledonWimbledon, LondonWimbledon is a district in the south west area of London, England, located south of Wandsworth, and east of Kingston upon Thames. It is situated within Greater London. It is home to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and New Wimbledon Theatre, and contains Wimbledon Common, one of the largest areas...
and Coventry City footballer - Valerie LilleyValerie LilleyValerie Lilley is a Northern Irish actress who has played many television roles on dramas such as Doctors and Grange Hill.Lilley currently appears on Channel 4's serial drama Shameless....
, actor from TV programmme ShamelessShamelessShameless is a British television drama series set in Manchester on the fictional Chatsworth council estate. Produced by Company Pictures for Channel 4, the first seven-episode series aired weekly on Tuesday nights at 10pm from 13 January 2004... - Phillip Magee, The X Factor (UK series 2) finalist.
- Dave McAuleyDave McAuleyDave McAuley, born 15 June 1961 in Larne, Northern Ireland is a former professional boxer. During his professional career he held the IBF world title in the Flyweight category. He was arguably the Irelands greatest ever Flyweight.-Boxing career:...
, former IBFIBFIBF may refer to:*International Boxing Federation is one of several boxing organisations* International Bandy Federation former name of Federation of International Bandy , an international governing body for bandy...
FlyweightFlyweightFlyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
world champion boxerBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. - Bobby McKeeBobby McKeeBobby McKee MBE is a Unionist politician in Larne, Northern Ireland and former member of the Ulster Volunteer Force.McKee is a Democratic Unionist Party councillor and a member of Larne Borough Council since 1989....
, Democratic Unionist PartyDemocratic Unionist PartyThe Democratic Unionist Party is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. Founded by Ian Paisley and currently led by Peter Robinson, it is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons of the...
councillor and former Ulster Volunteer Force member. - Jack McKeeJack McKeeAlderman Jack McKee is a Unionist politician in Larne, Northern Ireland.Until his resignation from the party in 2007, McKee was a Democratic Unionist Party councillor. He is one of the longest serving councillors on Larne Borough Council; like the UUP's Roy Beggs, he has served continuously since...
, Alderman and Veteran LoyalistLoyalistIn general, a loyalist is someone who maintains loyalty to an established government, political party, or sovereign, especially during war or revolutionary change. In modern English usage, the most common application is to loyalty to the British Crown....
politician and brother of Bobby. - Michael McKeeganMichael McKeeganMichael Robert McKeegan is best known as the bassist with the rock band, Therapy?.-Evil Priest:...
, Musician, with rock band Therapy?Therapy?Therapy? is an alternative metal band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist–vocalist Andy Cairns from Ballyclare and drummer-vocalist Fyfe Ewing from Larne, Northern Ireland. The band initially recorded their first demo with Cairns filling in on bass guitar... - Amanda McKittrick Ros, authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and poetPoetA poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
taught at Millbrook National School in the 1880s. - Eddie MooneyEddie Mooney-Early career:Eddie Mooney , is a vocalist/bassist whose musical career has been with various rock and pop bands since the mid 1970s. Mooney joined his first teen pop group in Larne, Northern Ireland in 1974, called...
, Musician, with The Dakotas and The FortunesThe FortunesThe Fortunes are an English harmony beat group. Formed in Birmingham, The Fortunes first came to prominence and international acclaim in 1965, when "You've Got Your Troubles" broke into the US and UK Top 10s...
. - Hugh NelsonHugh Nelson (Canadian politician)Hugh Nelson was a Canadian parliamentarian and the fourth Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.Born in his father's residence, Shire Cottage in Inagheramore, Larne, County Antrim, Ireland, the son of Robert Nelson, Esq. and Frances Quinn, he emigrated to California in 1854...
, Lieutenant Governor of British ColumbiaLieutenant Governor of British ColumbiaThe Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia is the viceregal representative in British Columbia of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared with equally the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest...
(1830–1893). - Robert Nelson, electronic music producer making up half of Agnelli & NelsonAgnelli & NelsonAgnelli & Nelson is the collective name of Northern Irish music producers Christoper James Agnew and Robert Frederick Nelson, writers and producers of dance music who have worked in the genre of trance music since 1997...
. - Jonathan ReaJonathan ReaJonathan 'Johnny' Rea is a motorcycle racer, currently competing in the Superbike World Championship for Castrol Honda. He was runner-up in the Supersport World Championship for the Ten Kate Honda team in 2008, and runner-up in the British Superbike Championship in 2007 for the HM Plant Honda team...
, world superbike riderSuperbike World ChampionshipSuperbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities... - Keith Semple of One True VoiceOne True VoiceOne True Voice were a British boyband created on the ITV television series Popstars: The Rivals, which also produced girl group Girls Aloud. The band was created by the public, who voted for their favourite hopefuls each week...
from the ITV series Popstars The RivalsPopstars The RivalsPopstars The Rivals was a British television talent show series that was broadcast on ITV1 in late 2002. It was the second UK series of the international Popstars franchise...
. - Harry TowbHarry TowbHarry Towb was a Northern Irish actor.-Early life and career:Towb's father was Russian and his mother was Irish. He attended the Finiston School and Technical College, Belfast...
, Actor
Freedom of the borough
In memory of a battle in the town of Musa QalaMusa Qala
Musa Qala is a town and the district center of Musa Qala District in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, at and at 1043 m altitude in the valley of Musa Qala River in the central western part of the district. Its population has been reported in the British press to be both 2,000 and 20,000...
in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
in 2006, involving the Royal Irish Regiment, a new regimental march, composed by Chris Attrill and commissioned by Larne Borough Council
Larne Borough Council
Larne Borough Council is a Local Council in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Its headquarters is in the town of Larne and the population of the area is nearly 31,000...
, was gifted to the regiment on Saturday 1 November 2008 in Larne, during an event in which the regiment was also presented with the 'Freedom of the Borough
Freedom of the City
Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Rhodesia to esteemed members of its community and to organisations to be honoured, often for service to the community;...
'.
This gave the regiment the right to march through the towns of the borough with 'flags flying, bands playing and bayonets fixed'. The march was named Musa Qala.
Sport
- Larne F.C.Larne F.C.Larne F.C. is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1889, hails from Larne and plays its home matches at Inver Park. Club colours are red and white...
- Larne R.F.C.
- Larne Hockey Club
- Larne Cricket Club
- Larne Golf Club
- Cairndhu Golf Club
- Latharna Óg G.A.A Club (Latharna Og hurlers)
- Cairndhu Rowing Club
- East Antrim Boat Club
- Larne Boat Club
- Larne Bowling & Lawn Tennis Club
- Larne Athletics Club
- Larne Swimming Club
- Larne & District Game Angling Association
See also
- List of towns in Northern Ireland
- List of villages in Northern Ireland
- List of RNLI stations
- Larne Gun RunningLarne Gun RunningThe Larne gun-running was a major gun smuggling operation organised in Ireland by Major Frederick H. Crawford and Captain Wilfrid Spender for the Ulster Unionist Council to equip the Ulster Volunteer Force...
- LatharLatharLathar was a daughter of Úgaine Mór, a High King of Ireland during pre-Christian times. Ugaine reputedly gave Lathar a stretch of land along the coast of Aontreibh, from Gleann Airm to the Inbhear; what would one day make Latharna....