Larne - Definition and Overview

Larne (Latharna in Irish which means 'the lands of Lathar' who was an Irish prince) is a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It has been used as a seaport for over 1000 years, and is now mostly used by freight. Ferries sail to Cairnryan in Scotland. Notable buildings in the town include the ruins of sixteenth century Olderfleet Castle and The Chaine Memorial, a replica of the traditional Irish round tower and known locally as "the giant's pencil".

Both fossils and prehistoric human artefacts have been found in the sea cliffs around Larne. Edward the Bruce, brother of the Scottish King Robert the Bruce, landed in Larne with the largest military force to invade Ireland. Weapons for the UVF were landed in the town, with smaller quantities being dropped in Bangor and Donaghadee, and were stored at Drumalis, home of the Smiley family and today a convent. The town is also known as the birthplace of the author and poet Amanda M’Kittrick Ros who has been described by critics as "The world's worst author".

It contains the headquarters of Larne Borough Council. Together with the neighbouring district of Carrickfergus and part of Newtownabbey, it forms the East Antrim constituency for elections to the Westminster Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly.