Built Heritage of Antrim Coast & Glens AONB

The archaeological evidence of the area records man's early arrival some 9,000 years ago. Flint implements of this period have been found on beach sites along the coast. from 4,000-2,500 BC the Neolithic period is marked by flint working at Ballygalley and porcellanite axe factory sites at Tievebulliagh and on Rathlin. Large stone monuments, such as Ossian's grave in Glenaan and Glenmakeeran in Ballypatrick forest are from this period, while others represent the Bronze Age. Raths, cashels, crannogs and souterrains survive from Early Christian times (AD400-1100). There are medieval churches and friaries at Bonamargy Friary (Ballycastle) and Layd Church near Cushendall, while castles such as red Bay castle, Castle Carra (Cushendun) and Bruce's Castle indicate a turbulent past. 17th Century castles at Glenarm and Ballygalley remain in use to this day, the former as the private residence of the Earls of Antrim, and the latter as an hotel. Most of the historic monuments inthe Antrim Coast and Glens are not in state care. They vary in accessibility from monuments in always open graveyards, on publicly owned land or beside a public roads, to others reached across farmland or high on a mountain. There is no right of access to these monuments and visitors are advised to seek the landowner's permission to approach a site on private property.

Bonamargy Friary

A Third Order Franciscan Friary, traditionally founded by Rory Macquillan in about 1500 and used until the mid 17th century. The approach is through a gatehouse set in an earth bank. The long narrow church has three windows and a dorr inthe S wall and a two-phase E window with broken flamboyant tracery. N of the church was a cloister and in the E range is the sacristy for storing equipment, a day room for indoor work and the friar's dormitory above. The 17th century vault running S from the church is the burial place of the MacDonnells, Earls of Antrim.

Ossian's Grave

Hillside court tomb with fine views to Glendun, Glenaan and Scotland. Semicircular forecourt opens into a two-chambered burial gallery, formerly set in a short oval cairn. Romantically named after the Early Christian warrior-poet but built in Neolithic times.

Layd Church

The ruined church in its graveyard stands beside a fast flowing stream above the sea at Port Obe. Though traditionally a Franciscan foundation, this was a parish church in 1306 and continued in use until 1790. The fabric shows at least four phases of medieval and post=medieval remodeling. The long narrow church has a tower at the W end, perhaps providing residential accommodation for the priest. Marks of the wicker centering are clear under its vault. Fine gravestones in the yard include MacDonnell memorials and illustrate the area's maritime and Scottish connections.