Accommodation glenariff

Glenariff described by William Thackery as a 'mini-Switzerland', with waterfalls and a forest park. The most famous of the Antrim glens, Glenariff. The host village, in July, to the Feis na nGleann, the best known of the northern competitive festivals of Irish culture and sport. Water-foot (or Glenariff) stands at the mouth of the Glenariff River here at Red Bay. The boatyard here builds, sells and hires out for sea fishing, small boats of traditional design. The glen stretches inland for about 5 miles (8 km) between steep mountain sides, on the lower slopes of which rises a multicoloured pattern of fields. The whole glen is now a forest park, which can also be approached from Parkmore on the Ballymena-Cushendall road. Here the little Glenariff River tumbles between thickly wooded banks, over pretty falls with names like Ess na Larach (the Mare's Fall) and Ess na Crub (the Fall of the Hooves). Paths have been built to give views of the falls and other features of the glen; care should be taken in traversing them, especially in wet weather. North of Waterfoot the coast passes through the 'Red Arch' tunnel in the sandstone cliffs of Lurigethan (1154 feet). Near by are the slight remains of Red Bay castle, a MacDonnell fortress.