Belfast to Ballymena and Portrush

From Belfast we pass the stations of Greencastle, Whitehouse, Whiteabbey, and Jordanstown, and arrive at the Junction of the

Carrickfergus Branch

In the course, of five or six minutes after passing the station at Trooper’s Lane, the arrival of the train is announced at

Carrickfergus

A seaport, town in the county of Antrim, situated on a bay called Belfast Lough, or Carrickfergus Bay, Its name signifies the Rock of Fergus, from an Irish chieftain Fergus, who was drowned here.

From Carrickfergus the line continues viâ Whitehead, Ballycarey, Magheramorne, and Glynn, to

Larne

Larne has a Castle; Edward Bruce landed here in 1315. Much lime is sent from thence to Scotland. Agnew Mountain, 1,560 feet high, lies to the left.

Belfast and Northern Counties Main Line continued

Returning to Carrickfergus Junction we pass on to Ballynure (here Fairs May 16th, September 5th, and October 25th), Ballyclare, and Dunadry stations, and soon reach

Antrim

This small town, which gives name to Antrim, county, stands at the mouth of Six Mile Water, as it falls into Lough Neagh, has a population of about 6,000, whose trade consists of paper, linen, &c.

Cookstown Junction.

Cookstown Branch

Randalstown

This place, which was burnt by the rebels in 1798, has a population of about 1,300, employed in cotton spinning and weaving; Barracks, Market House, five Chapels, and Dispensary.

Passing the intermediate stations of Toome, Castledawson, Magherafelt, and Moneymore, we arrive at the terminus of the branch at

Cookstown

This town contains about 6,000 inhabitants, who are chiefly employed in the linen trade.

Belfast and Northern Counties Main Line continued

Ballymena

Here are the ruins of an old castle, founded by the Adairs, which the rebels held in 1798. The town has a population of 6,000, principally employed in the linen trade.

Bellaghy. – Monthly cattle fairs are held, and in the vicinity are Bellaghy House, J. Hill, Esq., and Bellaghy Castle, H. Hunter, Esq.

Ballymoney. – Fairs are held on May 6th, July 10th, August 10th, and markets on Thursdays; it has a population of about 4,000, who are engaged in the linen and butter trade. Close at hand are Leslie Hill, J. Leslie, Esq., O’Hara Brook, C. O’Hara, Esq.

Coleraine

A borough town, with a population of about 5,857 who are employed in the salmon and eel fisheries, and manufactures of paper, soap, candles, and leather, situated on the banks of the river Bann, about three miles from the sea.

Passing: Portstewart (a small bathing place, of which Dr. Adam Clarke, the commentator, was a native) and to whom a monument has just been erected, (1859), we arrive at

Portrush

This small, yet pretty bathing place, which has Dr. Adam Clarke’s School and monument, and where the mirage is often seen, is beautifully situated on a basalt peninsula.