Glenariff
Glenariff or Glenariffe is one of the nine Glens of Antrim, in County Antrim. The brightest, most beautiful of nine fine valleys, Glenariff is sometimes called the 'Queen of the Glens' and it is the biggest and most popular of the Glens of Antrim. The village of Waterfoot lies on the coast at the foot of the glen.
Amongst the glens, Glenariff is north of Glencloy and south of Glenballyemon
The Glenariff River flows down and carves the glen and here tumbles over picturesque waterfalls, most famously Ess Na Crub and Ess na Larach. Much of the dale forms the Glenariff Forest Park, a popular tourist destination, with trails through the trees alongside the waterfalls.
The name of the glen is from the Irish language: Gleann Aireamh meaning "Valley of the ploughman" or "arable valley".
Like all glens in that area, it was shaped during the Ice Age by giant glaciers.
References
- Culture Northern Ireland
- "A Glimpse at Glenariffe" - Book ISBN 0-948154-61-6 (1997) by Robert Sharpe and Charles McAllister traces the history of the glen using maps, 17th century hearth rolls and school records.
- Location map: 55°1’56"N, 6°4’46"W