ANTRIM, a town of Ireland, in the county of the same name, situated half a mile from Lough Neagh, on the banks of the Six-mile-water, in one of the most fertile and beautiful valleys of the county, 13 miles north-west of Belfast, and 106 north of Dublin. It gives the title of earl to the noble family of MacDonnell, and prior to the Union was a potwalloping borough, returning two members to Parliament by virtue of letters patent, granted to the inhabitants in 1666, by Charles II. It was under the patronage of the Skeffington family.
Although much improved of late years, there is nothing in the town particularly worthy of notice; but the environs, including Shane's castle and the grounds of Massareene castle, possess considerable interest. About a mile from the town, surrounded by wood, above which rises its gray conical head, is one of the most perfect of the round towers of Ireland. It is 95 feet high, and 49 in circumference at the base. Markets are held each Tuesday and Thursday, and fairs on January 1, May 12, and November 12. In 1851 the town contained 504 dwelling-houses, and 2324 inhabitants. The manufacture of paper has been carried on here for many years, and there are flour and meal mills near the town. The Belfast and Ballymena railway passes a short distance from the north of the town. 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. (U.S.—R.)