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 Deucalcedonian ocean on the north. Its greatest length is about 46 miles, its greatest breadth about 27; and it contains 972 square miles, or 622,039 English acres. Though the country is much encumbered with bogs and marshes, yet it enjoys a pretty good air; and it is well peopled, chiefly with Protestants. Where it is free from bogs the soil is fruitful. It sends five members to parliament, two for the shire, and one for each of the three principal towns, Belfast, Carrickfergus, and Lisburn.

Certain narrow valleys, called glyns, 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 Route, belonged anciently to the Macguillers, but now to the M'Donnells, earls of Antrim.

Upon the coast of this county are the promontories ANT

called by Ptolemy, Robogdium, Vennicinium and Boraeum, now Fair Foreland, Ramshead, and St Helen's head. The river also, styled by the same author Viuda, and now Grodoch, runs through this county.—Here, also is the remarkable natural curiosity called the Giant's Causeway, for a description of which see that article. See ANTRIM, SUPPLEMENT.

the capital town of the county of Antrim, in Ireland, seated at the north end of the lake Lough Neagh, about six miles from the mouth of the bay, having a good road before it, with a pier near the place, within which vessels lie dry at low water. It was anciently a borough of great consequence, as appears from the mayor's being admiral of a considerable extent of coast, as well in Down as in this county; the corporation enjoying the customs paid by all vessels within those bounds, the creeks of Bangor and Belfast only excepted. This grant, however, the crown repurchased, and thereupon transferred the custom-house to Belfast, to which town it is now much inferior as well in size as in trade. It is, however, still a place of note, and formerly sent two members to the Irish house of commons. It gives the title of earl to the noble family of M'Donnel.—At Antrim is a seat, with noble demesnes, and beautiful and highly cultivated lands, of the earl of Massareene. W. Long. 6. 26. N. Lat. 54. 45.