Randalstown is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Randalstown is situated between the towns of Antrim and Toome. It lies beside Lough Neagh and the historic Shane's Castle estate, with the River Maine flowing nearby. The town is bypassed by the M22 motorway, with junctions at both its eastern and western ends.
Belfast is just over thirty kilometres to the south-east. Within a short distance of Randalstown are several villages and towns that form part of its social and economic orbit, including Connor, Antrim, Ballymena, Ahoghill, Bellaghy, and Templepatrick.
Historically, Randalstown thrived on linen production and ironworks, with the Old Bleach Linen Company, founded in 1864, being a major employer until its closure in 2002. Today, its economy is, by necessity, more diversified. It includes light manufacturing and small-scale industry, retail and services, tourism, and agriculture in the surrounding countryside. The town benefits from Northern Ireland's relatively low unemployment rate and a regional economy supported by construction, service industries, and agri-food sectors.
The area's earliest recorded name, An Dún Mór (the great fort) was a reference to a medieval motte-and-bailey castle built by the Irish on the west bank of the River Main. This suggests a strategic settlement site dating to the Middle Ages, and chosen for its defensible position and access to waterways. Nearby archaeological sites, such as ancient raths (ringforts), further attest to long-standing habitation of the wider region.
In the 14th century, the O'Neills of Clannaboy constructed Edenduffcarrick Castle, later known as Shane's Castle, near the present town. From the 1650s, the settlement became known as Muilinn Iarainn (Iron Mills), reflecting its industrial activity. In 1667, the town was designated a free borough. It was renamed Randalstown to commemorate the marriage of Randal MacDonnell, 1st Marquess of Antrim, to Rose O'Neill of Shane's Castle.
The 1798 United Irishmen Rebellion began in Antrim following a meeting to prepare for revolt by the Ulster Directory on 1 February at McClean's Inn in Randalstown. Robert McClean's "Great Inn" had long been a meeting place for the Irish Volunteers. After he died in 1790, his son Francis became the proprietor.
Dunmore Park was used as a training camp for the Ulster Volunteers during the campaign for Irish Home Rule, lasting from 1870 to 1914.
During the 19th to 20th centuries, the town's economy was dominated by linen and iron industries, with the Old Bleach Linen Company becoming a landmark employer. Today, an old linen mill chimney from the factory can be seen from most parts of town. The Dorma Old Bleach factory, which operated from a neighbouring site, closed down in 2002.
The Troubles brought incidents of violence to Randalstown, including a Provisional Irish Republican Army car bomb explosion outside of the town's police station, causing severe damage to nearby property. Although this period of ethno-nationalist conflict officially ended with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, some difficulties persisted despite these agreements. On 8 January 2010, PSNI Constable Peadar Heffron was seriously injured when a bomb exploded under his car on the Milltown Road near Randalstown. The attack was attributed to dissident republicans.
The 2021 census recorded a near balance of British, Irish, and Northern Irish identities. Residents who identified as Catholic represented 55.39% of the population, while Protestants accounted for 35.14%.
Randalstown offers a mix of historical, cultural, and natural attractions.
Opened by the Belfast and Ballymena Railway in 1848, the line was closed to passengers in 1950 and then completely in 1959, and the Randalstown railway station has been disused ever since. An iconic feature of Randalstown's townscape, the seven-piered viaduct built to carry the rail line over the River Main has become a linear park.
Other attractions include a wildlife sanctuary known as World of Owls, the Randalstown Forest Nature Reserve, the Craigmore Fishery, and Shane's Castle Estate.
A memorial in the town centre incorporates the original turbine that once powered local electricity, alongside relics from the Old Bleach Linen Company.
Local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, libraries, museums, entertainment venues, organisations, attractions, events, and sporting or recreational programmes or facilities are appropriate for this part of our web guide.
Categories
Education & Instruction |
Recommended Resources
Caddy Veterinarian Clinic has served Randalstown and the surrounding areas since 1995. It was founded by Joe O'Donnell as one of Northern Ireland's last independent mixed practices, offering first-opinion care for farm, equine, small, and exotic animals, with a team committed to personalised treatment plans and client services. 24-hour emergency cover is available 365 days a year. An overview of the facilities, location, opening hours, and accreditation is provided.
https://www.caddyvets.co.uk/
Cotters Park is a luxury glamping retreat situated alongside a tranquil lough in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Opened in 2003, the family-owned site features seven unique accommodations blending comfort and nature, offering an escape for couples, families, and groups seeking an upscale outdoor experience. Each unit includes a private hot tub, and a communal building sits on an island surrounded by the pond, ideal for cooking together, movie nights, or celebrations.
https://cotterspark.com/
The family-run tile supplier was founded in 1979 as a home-operated venture, but has since grown into four showrooms and four large warehouses, making it one of Northern Ireland's leading tile suppliers to both the trade and the general public. Situated in Randalstown, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the company maintains long-standing relationships with leading Italian and Spanish manufacturers, which are listed here. Its opening hours, parking information, and contact details are provided.
https://www.mccartneytiles.com/
Randalstown Presbyterian Church
The Old Congregation Presbyterian Church in Randalstown is part of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland, and serves a congregation of around 400 families. The congregation traces its roots to around 1655, making it one of the older Presbyterian communities in Northern Ireland. The current worship space, known locally as the Oval Church, was constructed in 1790, and it received a Grade A listing from the Historic Buildings Council in 1974. Photos, schedules, and contact details are provided.
http://www.oc-church.co.uk/
Located on Station Road in the parish of Drummaul, Randalstown, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Saint MacNissi's serves a Catholic community between Toome and Antrim, beside the M2 motorway. The original Saint MacAnisius Church, built in 1784, still stands behind the current church building, and the adjoining burial ground was opened in 1848 and continues to serve as the parish churchyard. Service schedules, photographs, announcements, and contact details are provided.
https://www.stmacnissirandalstown.com/
