Randalstown
| Randalstown | |
| County Antrim | |
|---|---|
 Randalstown | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 54°44’46"N, 6°18’22"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 4,956 (2001) |
| Post town: | Antrim |
| Postcode: | BT41 |
| Dialling code: | 028 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Antrim and Newtownabbey |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
South Antrim |
Randalstown is a small town in County Antrim, located between the towns of Antrim and Toome. It has a very prominent disused railway viaduct and lies beside Lough Neagh and the Shane's Castle estate. The town is bypassed by the M22 motorway with junctions at both the eastern and western ends of the town.
History
The town sprang up within the townland of Dunmore. Randalstown was named after the 2nd Earl and 1st Marquess of Antrim, Randal MacDonnell (1609–1683), and has strong links to the O'Neill family. The original stronghold of Edenduffcarrick was built in the 16th century and changed ownership repeatedly until it was renamed Shane's Castle after the new owner, Shane Mc Brian O'Neill. Scions of the O'Neill family still reside on the estate.
Dunmore Park was used as a training camp for the Ulster Volunteers during the Irish Home Rule crisis.
Randalstown has a strong history of linen and iron industries. A memorial to this history is in the middle of the town and made from the original turbine used to generate mains electricity for the town and items salvaged from the Old Bleach Linen Company founded by James Webb in 1864. An old linen mill chimney from the Old Bleach factory can be seen from most parts of the town. The Dorma Old Bleach factory which operated from a neighbouring site closed down in 2002.
Sights about the town
- The Tudor style gateway to the Shane's Castle estate is in the town.
- Viaduct of seven piers built in 1855 to carry the railway line over the River Maine. This has had a new bridge installed and a walk path created as part of the local healthy walking areas.
- Craigmore Fishery, a Fly Fishing site on the outskirts of the town.
- World of Owls, Ulster's premier owl, bird of prey and exotic animal conservation centre is located next to Randalstown Forest.
