ANTRIM, a town in Ireland, in the county of the same name, situated near the north end of Loughneagh, on the banks of the Six-mile-water, 12 miles north-west of Belfast, and 84 north of Dublin. It gives the title of earl to the noble family of MacDonnell, and prior to the Union in 1800 it was a potwalloping borough, and returned two
members to parliament, under the patronage of the Skeffington family.
The town has been much improved of late years; and adjoining is the castle of the earl of Massereene, which was thoroughly repaired a few years ago. Markets are held each Thursday, and fairs in May and November. In 1821 the town contained 476 dwelling-houses and 2489 inhabitants. Near the town is a flour-mill and two paper-mills. On the 7th of June 1798 a smart action was fought in the town between the king's troops and a large body of rebels, in which the latter were defeated. In this action Lord O'Neill was mortally wounded by a pike.