Antrim (borough) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Antrim Borough
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| Area | 577 km2 (223 sq mi) Ranked 11th of 26 |
| District HQ | Antrim |
| Catholic | 41.2% |
| Protestant | 50.5% |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
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Antrim was a special area in Northern Ireland that used to have its own local government. It was named after the town of Antrim. This area became one of 26 districts in 1973. Later, in 1977, it was given "borough status," which is a special title for some towns or districts.
The Antrim Borough covered about 570 square kilometers (220 square miles). In 2011, about 53,428 people lived there. It was located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north-west of Belfast. The borough was next to the north and east sides of Lough Neagh. This is the largest freshwater lake in the United Kingdom.
The borough included several towns like Antrim, Toomebridge, Crumlin, Randalstown, Parkgate, and Templepatrick. The main offices for the council were just outside Antrim town. Even though Antrim Borough was not part of the main Belfast city area, it was home to Belfast International Airport. Many people who worked in Belfast also lived in the villages within the borough.
Antrim Borough Council
The Antrim Borough was divided into three election areas. These were Antrim South-East, Antrim North-West, and Antrim Town. From these areas, 19 members were chosen to be part of the council.
As of February 2011, different political groups were part of the council. These included the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), and the Traditional Unionist Voice. Elections were held every four years. They used a system called proportional representation, which helps make sure all groups are fairly represented.
Each year, in June, the councillors would choose a Mayor and a Deputy Mayor from among themselves. For example, in 2012 and 2013, Roy Thompson from the DUP was the Mayor of Antrim. Roderick Swann from the UUP was the Deputy Mayor.
Economy in Antrim
The main parts of the economy in Antrim were building work, moving goods around, transport, and places like hotels and restaurants. The area had good roads and connections. This made it easy to get to all the main entry points for Northern Ireland and other parts of the region.
Antrim Town is located on two important transport routes. One goes between Belfast and Derry, and the other is a southern route. Belfast International Airport was also located within the borough. It was only about 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) from Antrim town.
Representing Antrim in Parliament
Antrim Borough, along with parts of the districts of Newtownabbey and Lisburn, formed an area called the South Antrim constituency. This constituency was used for elections to the Westminster Parliament in London and the Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast.
