Above: View In Ulster

county antrim, on the north-east coast, washed by the North Channel, is that part of Ireland nearest to Scotland. From shore to shore the distance is only about twelve miles. The coast of Antrim (Hotels, Antrim, Ireland) is broken into a number of fine cliffs, part of which form the famous Giants’ Causeway. On the coast are Kathlin Island, Fair Head, and Belfast Lough.

The surface is high and rugged, with mountains running down to the sea, forming grand scenery. Lough Neagh borders the south-west of the county, and the river Bann forms the western boundary.

Carrickfergus, on Belfast Lough, the county town, makes linens. Here William the Third landed before the battle of the Boyne. Larne, on Lough Larne, has a line of steamers that run to Stranraer in Scotland (Wigtownshire). Portrush, in the north-west corner of the county, is a watering-place, and the nearest town to Giants Causeway. Antrim is a small town on Lough Neagh, and gives its name to the county.

The chief town in Ulster is Belfast, the largest city in Ireland , and the great seat of the Irish linen trade. Its foremost rank as a manufacturing town has earned for it the name of “the Manchester of Ireland.” It is also a port at the mouth of the Lagan on Belfast Lough. Ballymena and Lisburn are engaged in the linen trade.

county tyrone is a large inland county south of Donegal and Derry. The northern and southern parts are mountainous, but the most of the county has gentle hills, fruitful valleys, pretty glens, and small plains. Part of its eastern boundary is formed by Lough Neagh, the largest lake in Ireland.

Omagh, on the Mourne, the county town, makes linen and pottery. Strabane, on the Mourne, has a salmon-fishery. Dungannon, in the east of the county, is the centre of the richest coal-field in Ireland .