Glenarm Harbour, Glenarm, Ballymena, Co Antrim

Glenarm Harbour

A utilitarian limestone-constructed harbour of L-shaped plan, built in phases between 1864 and 1910, enclosing a small bay to the east of the mouth of the Glenarm River. The original structure, dating from 1864–1868, is crude in appearance with a high wall on the seaward side of the north end and a battered rubble base formed from large boulders facing outward.

The harbour has recently undergone extensive reconstruction and enlargement, with the current structure being mostly new and significantly enlarged. It now functions as a yacht marina, and little remains of the original fabric, which was of limited historic engineering interest.

Historical Development

Prior to the construction of Glenarm Bridge in 1823, small ships and boats could reach high water and access warehouses at the rear of properties on the west side of Toberwine Street. A pier existed near the river mouth in the late 15th century, given by the local landlords the McEoin Bissets to a nearby friary. John O'Hara's map of 1779 shows a proposal for a new bridge (approximately on the site of the present structure) and a basin intended for shipping, though this proposal was not executed. Further proposals were discussed by Edmund Phelps MacDonnell, husband of the Countess of Antrim, in the 1830s, but these also came to nothing.

The present harbour dates from the 1860s. In 1864 a pier was constructed by Mr Hanbury under a crown lease. Four years later, in 1868, this was enlarged and improved by local man William Reid. When the crown lease expired in 1898, the pier was sold to Lord Antrim. In the early 1900s, increased traffic due to the export of iron ore and limestone necessitated improvement work in 1910. In the second half of the 20th century, decline in limestone exports led to reduced use of the main pier; part of it collapsed in the 1970s. The harbour area was later acquired by Larne Borough Council and has undergone extensive rebuilding in recent years. The harbour is of industrial archaeological interest and lies within a conservation area.