ANTRIM, the most northerly county of Ireland. It is bounded by that of Down on the south-east, that of Londonderry on the west, from which it is separated by the river Bann, part of Armagh on the south, St George's channel on the east, and the Duncalvedonian ocean on the north. Its greatest length is about 46 miles, its greatest breadth about 27; and the number of acres it contains, plantation measure, is computed at 383,000. Though the country is much encumbered with bogs and marshes, yet it enjoys a pretty good air, and is well peopled, chiefly with Protestants. Where it is free from bogs the soil is fruitful. It sends two members for the shire, and two for each of the following towns, viz. Lisburn, Belfast, Antrim, and Randalstown.
Certain narrow valleys, called glens, beginning here, and running a great way along the coast, belonged formerly to the Bissets, noblemen of Scotland, who, having been obliged to quit that country for having assassinated Patrick earl of Athole upon a private quarrel, came hither, and had a great estate bestowed upon them by Henry III. of England; of which, in the reign of Edward II. a part was forfeited by the rebellion of Hugh, then chief of the family. Another tract near this, called the Rowte, belonged anciently to the Macguillers, but now to the McDonnells earls of Antrim.
Upon the coast of this county are the promontories called
Antrim called by Ptolemy, Robogdium, Vennicinium, and Borarum, now Fair Foreland, Ramshoad, and St Helen's head. The river also, styled by the same author Vidua, and now Croodach, runs through this county.—Here also is the remarkable natural curiosity called the Grave's Causeway, for a particular description of which see that article.