Glynn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Glynn is a quiet rural village on the outskirts of Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 641 people in the 2001 Census. It is in the Larne Borough Council area.
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[edit] History
The Church of Gluaire is supposed to have been founded by St Patrick in 435 A.D. The ruins of an old stone church still stand within the village boundary. Prior to baronial division, the county of Antrim was divided into the districts of North Clandeboye and Glynns (Glynnes). The area was a vicarage in the diocese of Connor and ecclesiastical province of Armagh and was a gift of the Marquis of Donegal.
The village is then mentioned in a grant from King James I to Arthur Lord Chichester, Baron of Belfast, of his estates in Antrim, Down and Carrickfergus. This grant was dated 20 November 1620. In a later grant from King Charles II to Edward, Viscount Chichester, Glynn was mentioned as being part of the territory of Magheramorne.
Written information exists that details how Sir John Chichester, governor of Carrickfergus, was beheaded by James MacSorley MacDonnell at a site on the eastern edge of the village. James MacDonnell and his men had made a feint on Carrickfergus town. They were then pursued to the glen of Altrackyn, some five miles from Glynn. Sir John was captured and his men were nearly cut to pieces. Later in the day, Sir John was beheaded by James MacDonnell on a stone. It is documented that this event occurred in November 1597. A 'standing stone' still stands to this day, approximately one mile east of the village.
In the early 1900s the lime works and Ballylig was bought by Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers and a large cement works was built along side the wharf. The works became a significant employer in the wider area.
In the 1930s Glynn, was seen on the 'big screen' in the movie The Luck Of The Irish. The film starred the Hollywood actor Richard Hayward and many villagers were used as extras.
From the 1930s Glynn saw expansion with many of the thatched cottages being replaced by modern family housing. The first phase was approximately 100 houses and bungalows at Glenvale Park, build in the 1950s. Then, in the late 1960s, eighteen houses were built at Glenside. These were followed by more houses and bungalows at Hawthorne Grove in the 1970s. All these properties were built by the government for renting. Further housing developments have taken place in the 1980s at Glenavon and in the 1990s at Craiganboy. The latter two developments were built privately for sale. It is estimated that there are now approximately 350 occupied dwelling houses in Glynn (April 2004).
Glynn has seen new housing developments in the latter half of 2006, where several bungalows were built on the Glenburn Road and adjacent the Jubilee park behind Hawthorne Grove estate. A plot of field near to the Main Road was also purchased in December 2006 for a more than ample sum of £250, 000; no plans of layout for housing have been confirmed as of yet. The compound area at the foot of the Glynn Brae is also rumoured to undergo changes this year in becoming a future housing estate.
[edit] Places of interest
Out in Larne Lough lies Swan Island. There are actually two small islands, one of which has been a bird sanctuary for many years. The larger of the two islands measures approximately fifty yards in length by fifteen yards in width. It is covered in grass, shingle and sand. The smaller of the two islands can only be seen at low tide. In times gone by the larger island was called Pigeon Island and then Duck Island. It was let in the early 1800s for one guinea per annum to burn kelp.
According the records from 1800s; The large Swan Isle is said to contain the bodies of the crew of some foreign ships who died of some plague, while the ships were laid under quarantine in Larne Lough, and would not be permitted to enter the harbour. The smaller island was supposed to be where the bodies of the dead sailors were burnt before burial on the larger island.
Today Swan Island and the lough shore at Glynn draws ornithologists from near and far. Birdwatchers come to see birds like swans, gulls, terns, oystercatchers and sandpipers.
[edit] Landowners
In the 1700s and 1800s the 'proprietors' within the wider parish were John Irving Esquire, M.P., who lived at Ballylig House, Magheramorne. John Irving owned lime kilns and wharfs at Magheramore and extensive lands and property in the area. His agent, Thomas Maxwell Esquire, J.P., lived in a plain but modern house, overlooking Larne Lough, approximately one mile north of Glynn. Ballylig House still stands and was better known a few years ago as Magheramorne House Hotel. More recently however, the house has been the Ireland Head Office for Forever Living Products (Ireland) Ltd. The former house of Thomas Maxwell also still stands and is privately owned.
Within Glynn village, Randall William Johnston Esquire was the owner of mills, public buildings, houses and land. Mr Johnston was a descendent of an officer in King William's army. Miss McClaverty rented seventeen acres of land and the houses from Mr Johnston and lived near him in old-fashioned three-story houses on the south bank of the Dunisland Water (Glynn river).
[edit] Public Transport
Glynn lies on a suburban rail route from Belfast to Larne. By train, journeys to and from Larne should take approximately five minutes. Journeys to and from Belfast should take approximately fifty minutes each way. There is also a bus service between the village and Larne. Translink provides public transport in Northern Ireland. Train and bus timetables within the entire province can be viewed on the Translink website.
[edit] Local Tourism
Glynn lies within the Larne Borough Council area. Tourist facilities locally are provided by Larne Borough Council. There are various attractions within the borough. Information on these attractions and the facilities available can be found by checking out the Larne Borough Council website.
[edit] Travelling by Sea
Larne is one of Northern Ireland's major sea ports and it is only a few minutes drive from Glynn. It is used both for commercial freight and by holiday-makers. P&O Ferries, to and from Larne regularly travel between Cairnryan and Troon in Scotland and Fleetwood in England. More information can be gained on the Port of Larne by visiting their website.
[edit] 2001 Census
Glynn is classified as a small village or hamlet by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (ie with population between 500 and 1,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 641 people living in Glynn. Of these:
- 23.7% were aged under 16 and 19.8% were aged 60 and over
- 48.5% of the population were male and 51.5% were female
- 3.7% were from a Catholic background and 92.5% were from a Protestant background
- 2.2% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed.
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
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