GLENTAISIE

 The Glen of Taise - named after Princess Taise, the daughter of a Rathlin Chieftain who married Congal the son of the King of Ulster. Congal received the glen and other lands along the coast including Dunseverick as a wedding gift from Taise's father - Congal later succeeded his father to become King of Ulster. Small hills and drumlins cover its length as its sweeps down the western flank of Knocklayde to Ballycastle, it has many interesting features which includes the remains of two motte forts, a rath, several standing stones and remnants of the narrow gauge railway which ran from Ballymoney to Ballycastle. Opened in 1880  the railway and its small light green engines and dark brown coaches served the district until it closed in 1950 - the entire project was tendered for under £40,000 and includes many bridges and even a small tunnel near Capecastle. It was also at the foot of the glen that the MacDonnell regrouped before facing the O'Neill's in battle on May 2nd,1565 -- James MacDonnell had arrived from Scotland to aid Sorley Boy MacDonnell who had retreated after being defeated in the Glens. A small and very scenic loop road can be taken up the glen from the Hillhead at Ballycastle to Breen Wood at the back of Knocklayde. Breen is a remnant of  an ancient oak wood that would have once covered most of the glen, it is now a nature reserve. At Breen you can alternatively follow the high road along the eastern side of Knocklayde above Glenshesk which has some panoramic views to Rathin Island or follow the road into Glenshesk - its worth seeing both routes.  

  Back