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Activities Around Antrim | |
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Take a break from cycling …. Enjoy activities in the Antrim District The Borough of Antrim has something for everyone. Its central location, high quality tourist accommodation, superb leisure and retail facilities, rich tapestry of history and friendly welcome make it an ideal base for visitors to Northern Ireland. Belfast International Airport is located only 4 miles from the town of Antrim. Belfast City Airport and the harbours at Larne and Belfast are just 20 minutes drive away. An excellent road network gives easy access to the main tourism attractions throughout Northern Ireland.
Situated at the north-east corner of the largest fresh-water lake in the British Isles, Lough Neagh, the Borough is a scenically beautiful area with an abundance of forests, rivers, trails and woodlands. The Lough itself boasts an exceptional variety of wildlife and plants and its gentle beauty offers a unique tranquillity. For an activity-based holiday, some of the finest sporting and leisure activities in Northern Ireland are on offer. If times gone by interest you, then you will certainly not be disappointed by the variety of heritage sites. Or why not enjoy the ultimate shopping experience, and visit Northern Ireland’s largest international outlet centre, Junction One on the edge of Antrim town centre. Take time to discover Antrim's Hidden Treasures.
In the Borough of Antrim, a Fisheries Conservancy Board Rod Licence is required by anyone aged 12 or over for all fishing. This licence is in addition to a permit to fish particular stretches of water. Coarse Fishing Coarse fishing is also available seasonally on the Sixmilewater River (from Antrim Forum downstream to Lough Neagh). Coarse fishing is available all year round on the River Bann. No Sunday fishing is allowed on the Sixmilewater. Game Fishing Antrim has a choice of four rivers providing game fishing from 1 March to 31 October, with the best fishing from April. The River Main enters Lough Neagh south of Randalstown and flows through the Shane’s Castle Demesne. The Sixmilewater River is a highly productive trout river and enters Lough Neagh at Antrim Town. No Sunday fishing is allowed. Potterswall Reservoir in Antrim provides excellent game fishing. The Crumlin River flows west of Crumlin through Crumlin Glen to enter Lough Neagh. Angling stands for people with disabilities are available in Crumlin Glen. The Lower Bann provides for game angling from the sluice gates at Toome downstream. All of the rivers hold excellent stocks of wild brown trout with salmon and dollaghan, the famous Lough Neagh migratory trout, entering these rivers from early August and providing excellent sport until the end of the season. Additionally, Craigmore Fishery in Randalstown provides for excellent fly fishing on a five acre, spring-fed lake set in the quiet countryside with scenic views of Lough Neagh. For more details on coarse and game fishing (including permits and licences) within the Borough of Antrim, and organised fishing tours on Lough Neagh, please contact:
Antrim Information Centre,
Tel: 028 9442 8331,
E-mail: info@antrim.gov.uk Golfers of all handicaps from throughout the world continually visit the Borough of Antrim golf courses. Dramatic challenges and delightful scenery make each round memorable.
Allen Park This 18-hole golf course covers an area of approximately 143 acres, stretching over 6683 yards with a SSS and Par 72. There is a clubhouse providing modern locker room facilities, pool table and golf shop. The facility also incorporates a 20 bay fully floodlit golf driving range. Clubs and trolleys are available for hire. The complex is designed to provide you with a comprehensive range of golfing opportunities. Staff are on hand to offer a warm welcome to golfers of all levels from the complete novice to the accomplished player. A resident teaching golf professional is available for group and/or individual golf lessons. A synthetic six-rink bowling green is adjacent to the Clubhouse offering a surface which is playable all year round. Bowling Green membership entitles members to book rink time up to seven days in advance or casual users can pay by the hour. Massereene Golf Club This popular 18-hole golf course is a mature parkland/sandy course located on the shore of Lough Neagh. It is acknowledged as one of the finest courses in Northern Ireland offering some truly excellent golf holes and each year a number of major golfing events are hosted. Golf clubs and trolleys are available for hire. The Clubhouse has full dining facilities. Open to visitors every day except Friday and Saturday. Ladies Day is Friday Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club This superb 18-hole golf course, designed by David Jones and David Feherty, has been acclaimed as Jones’ finest work. This is one of the best layouts in the country with over 7,000 yards of challenging fairways and greens, interspersed with lakes and mature parkland. Bookings by prior arrangement and subject to availability. Take the opportunity to hire a private aircraft, have a flying lesson and see the views of Lough Neagh and other beauty spots. Operates 7 days a week from Woodgate Executive Air Charter, Belfast International Airport, Crumlin. Telephone for prices and availability T: 028 9442 2789
Randalstown Heritage Trail - Tours and group bookings available by prior arrangement. This guided walking tour of Randalstown provides the ideal opportunity to discover the wealth of history associated with bustling village life.
Antrim Heritage Trail Join a Blue Badge tour guide during July, August and September for a guided walking tour of Antrim Town. Leaving Antrim Information Centre, by appointment, the tour highlights surviving features from Antrim of old such as the Market Square, castle walls, churches and Courthouse. Alternatively, pick up a copy of the illustrated Heritage Trail leaflet (available from Antrim Information Centre) and take your own self-guided tour. Antrim Information Centre,
16 High Street,
Antrim,
Tel: 028 9442 8331,
E-mail: info@antrim.gov.uk Connell Hill Riding Centre Connell Hill Riding Centre is a thriving centre for all equestrian activities in the Antrim area. Lessons can be arranged by request and are priced per hour. Tel: Gillian McClean on 02894472632 /
Mobile: 07803 178009
Antrim Boat Club Situated on the shore of Lough Neagh at the mouth of the Sixmilewater River. A modern slipway provides access to the Lough. Watersports including windsurfing, sailing, motor cruising and dinghy sailing take place within the club and visitors are welcome. Sailing races are also organised during the winter and summer months. With a choice of indoor and outdoor facilities there is something for everyone at Antrim Forum. The indoor leisure opportunities include a multi-use Sports Hall, a 25 -metre Swimming Pool and a leisure pool, state-of-the-art Fitness Suite, Caribbean Health Suite and Squash Courts. AND there's more... Visitors can also enjoy an enhanced range of activities including Ten-Pin bowling with a space theme featuring UV reactive graphics, a soft play adventure area, an additional sports hall and a new exercise and dance studio.
Outdoor facilities include an Athletics Stadium, synthetic pitch, grass pitches and kick-about area and a large children's adventure playground. Antrim Forum really is a leisure venue with something for everyone.
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The bustling village of Randalstown boasts a beautiful Tudor style gateway, the entrance to Shane's Castle Estate and a magnificent viaduct spanning the River Main. The village is well remembered for its historic links with both the linen and iron industries. Randalstown's integrity as a typical 19th century Ulster town is still intact and its original layout, buildings and structures, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, reflect the character and history of the town.
