Mather's Cross
Encyclopedia
Mather's Cross in 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...

 is a road junction situated on the primary A29
A29 road (Northern Ireland)
The A29 is a major road in Northern Ireland; it is mostly a single carriageway and goes through a number of main towns and connects in several places to other major roads.-Route:...

 Portrush
Portrush
Portrush is a small seaside resort town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on the County Londonderry border. The main part of the old town, including the railway station as well as most hotels, restaurants and bars, is built on a mile–long peninsula, Ramore Head, pointing north-northwest....

 to Coleraine
Coleraine
Coleraine is a large town near the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast and east of Derry, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections...

 road and the tertiary Islandtasserty road and Atlantic road used for the North West 200
North West 200
The North West 200 is a motorcycle race meeting held each May in Northern Ireland. The course, made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush is one of the fastest in the world, with speeds in excess of . It is one of around fifteen events run on public...

 motor-cycle races since 1929.

This section of the A29
A29 road (Northern Ireland)
The A29 is a major road in Northern Ireland; it is mostly a single carriageway and goes through a number of main towns and connects in several places to other major roads.-Route:...

 Portrush
Portrush
Portrush is a small seaside resort town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on the County Londonderry border. The main part of the old town, including the railway station as well as most hotels, restaurants and bars, is built on a mile–long peninsula, Ramore Head, pointing north-northwest....

 to Coleraine
Coleraine
Coleraine is a large town near the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast and east of Derry, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections...

 road has been part of the North West 200 (Portstewart-Coleraine-Portrush) 'Triangle' circuit from 1929 and Mather's Cross is the highest point of the course at 47 metres (155 ft) above sea level. This section of the North West 200 course has resulted in fatal accidents to competitors including Mervyn Robinson in May 1980 and more recently Robert Dunlop
Robert Dunlop
Robert Dunlop was a Northern Irish motorcycle racer, the younger brother of fellow road racer, the late Joey Dunlop, and like Joey he died after a crash while racing.-Biography:...

 on 15 May, 2008 and Mark Young
Mark Young (motorcycle racer)
Mark Young was a Northern Irish motor-cycle racer competing in the 2009 North West 200 Races on 16th May 2009 crashed at Mather's Cross section during the opening 250cc race...

 on 16 May 2009. For the 2010 North West 200 Races
2010 North West 200 Races
The 2010 North West 200 Races, the 71st running of the event, was held on Saturday 15 May 2010 at the circuit, dubbed "The Triangle", based around the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush, in Northern Ireland....

a chicane was built at Mather's Cross as a safety feature to slow competitors approaching the corner.

External links

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