Antrim Coast and Glens facts for kids
The Antrim Coast and Glens is a special part of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. It was named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988 because of its amazing scenery and wildlife.
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What is the Antrim Coast and Glens?
This beautiful area includes Rathlin Island, the famous Glens of Antrim, and the coastline between Larne and Ballycastle. A big part of it is the Antrim Plateau, which is a high, flat area about 500 meters (1,640 feet) tall.
Rivers have carved deep valleys, called glens, into this plateau. These glens run towards the sea in the east and northeast. The coastline is very varied. It has Rathlin Island, which is the only island off Ireland that people live on. There are also dramatic cliffs, pretty bays, farmland, and wide-open moorland in the higher parts.
People have lived here for a very long time. You can find many important old sites, like ancient ruins, historic buildings, and special conservation areas. The area has a rich culture, with strong connections to Scotland. The Mull of Kintyre in Scotland is only 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from Torr Head! The Antrim Coast and Glens AONB covers a large area of 70,600 hectares (174,450 acres).
Rocks and Ice: The Geology of the Area
The oldest rocks in this area are called schists. You can see them in the northwest, and they are about 300 million years old! Other parts of the area have different types of rocks, including both igneous (formed from cooled lava) and sedimentary (formed from layers of sediment). These rocks give the landscape many different colors, which you can see in local place names like Red Bay, Blackcave, and Whitebay.
The most recent big change to the landscape happened because of glaciers. The last ice age ended about 17,000 years ago. The ice shaped the land, leaving marks on the rocks and digging out hollows. These hollows later filled with water, creating small lakes (called loughs) and bogs.
Amazing Wildlife and Nature
The Antrim Coast and Glens has many different natural homes, or habitats, for plants and animals. The largest area is the open landscape of the Antrim Plateau. This area is partly covered with blanket bog, which is a type of wet, peaty ground. It's a great place for birds that nest on the ground, like red grouse and hen harrier. You can also find some rare plants here, such as the insectivorous (insect-eating) butterwort.
The varied coastline is also very important for wildlife. You might spot aquatic mammals like cetaceans (whales and dolphins), seals, and even otters. Rathlin Island is a very special place for seabirds. During the breeding season, about 250,000 seabirds come to the island! These include birds like razorbills, kittiwakes, and puffins. The coastline is also home to many interesting small creatures without backbones, including rare sponges. The woodlands and fields throughout the area provide homes for many other species, such as different mammals, insects, and beautiful wild flowers.
History and Culture
The strong connections between this area and Scotland go back a long way. An ancient kingdom called Dalriada once covered parts of northeastern Ireland and western Scotland. Its kings eventually became the kings of Scotland. Later, different Irish clans fought for control of the area. Glenarm Castle, for example, has been the home of the McDonnell Clan for 400 years!
The Antrim Coast and Glens is also rich in old stories and myths. In some parts, especially the middle section, traditional Irish sports like hurling are very popular. Today, the area is still a working landscape, with many farms and fishing villages.
