Editing Larne

{{Short description|Town (and civil parish) in County Antrim, Northern Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Larne
| irish_name   = Latharna<ref name=pn/>
| static_image_name = LARNE TOWN.jpg
| static_image_width = 300px
| static_image_caption = 2020 view looking south-east towards Larne Harbour, [[Islandmagee]], and down the length of [[Larne Lough]]
| static_image_2_name = Larne_coat_of_arms.png
| static_image_2_caption = Larne Coat of Arms
| map_type = Northern Ireland
| coordinates = {{coord|54|51|06|N|05|48|48|W|display=inline,title}}
| belfast_distance_km = 30
| population = 18,853
| population_ref = ([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]])
| irish_grid_reference = D4102
| unitary_northern_ireland = [[Mid and East Antrim Borough Council|Mid and East Antrim]]
| country = <!-- This for the constituent country within the UK; sovereign state is included automatically -->Northern Ireland
|historic_county=
|post_town = LARNE
| postcode_area = BT
| postcode_district = BT40
| dial_code = 028
| constituency_westminster = [[East Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|East Antrim]]
| constituency_ni_assembly = [[East Antrim (Assembly constituency)|East Antrim]]
| lieutenancy_northern_ireland = [[County Antrim]]
}}
'''Larne''' ({{Irish derived place name|Latharna}}, {{IPA|ga|ˈl̪ˠahəɾˠn̪ˠə|pron}}, the name of a [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]] territory){{elucidate|date=February 2025}}<ref name=pn>[http://www.logainm.ie/1411592.aspx Larne/Latharna]. [[Placenames Database of Ireland]].</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ulsterplacenames.org/PDF%20Files/Postal%20Towns%20-%20Bailte%20Poist.pdf | title=Postal Towns/Bailte Poist | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207025728/http://www.ulsterplacenames.org/PDF%20Files/Postal%20Towns%20-%20Bailte%20Poist.pdf |archive-date=7 February 2012 }}. [http://www.ulsterplacenames.org/street-names_project.htm Northern Ireland Place-Name Project]. [[Queen's University Belfast]].</ref><ref>Room, Adrian. ''Placenames of the World''. McFarland, 2006. p.213</ref> is a town on the east coast of [[County Antrim]], [[Northern Ireland]], with a population of 18,853 at the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]].<ref name="2021 pop"/> It is a major passenger and freight [[Roll-on/roll-off|roll-on roll-off]] port.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portoflarne.co.uk/about-us/history/|title=Port of Larne – About Us – History|first=Website design and website development by|last=Tibus|access-date=16 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310020107/http://www.portoflarne.co.uk/about-us/history|archive-date=10 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Larne is administered by [[Mid and East Antrim Borough Council]]. Together with parts of the neighbouring districts of [[Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council|Antrim and Newtownabbey]] and [[Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council|Causeway Coast and Glens]], it forms the [[East Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|East Antrim constituency]] for elections to the [[Westminster Parliament]] and [[Northern Ireland Assembly]]. The civil parish is in the historic [[Barony (geographic)|barony]] of [[Glenarm Upper]].<ref name=Ire>{{cite web|title=Larne|url=http://www.thecore.com/seanruad/|website=IreAtlas Townlands Database|access-date=20 April 2015}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Larne, Co Antrim (13734113344).jpg|thumb|Larne c.1888]]
The coastal area around Larne has been inhabited for millennia, and is thought to have been one of the earliest inhabited areas of Ireland, with these early human populations believed to have arrived from Scotland via the [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]]. [[Carncastle#Knockdhu|Knockdhu]], north of Larne, was the site of a [[Bronze Age]] [[promontory fort]] and settlement. The early coastal dwellers are thought to have had a sophisticated culture which involved trading between the shores of the North Channel and between other settlements on the coasts of Scotland. The coast of Scotland is in fact clearly visible from here. Archaeological digs in the area have found [[flint]]work and other artefacts which have been assigned dates from 6000 BC onwards. The term ''Larnian'' has even been coined by archaeologists to describe such flintworks and similar artefacts of the [[Mesolithic]] era (and one time to describe Mesolithic culture in Ireland as a whole).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.larne.gov.uk/template1.asp?pid=596&area=6&text=1|title=Larne Borough council – Local History and Heritage|access-date=16 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408120840/http://www.larne.gov.uk/template1.asp?pid=596&area=6&text=1|archive-date=8 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/larnian|title=Answers – The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions|website=[[Answers.com]]|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/330673/Larnian-industry|title=Larnian industry – ancient culture|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref> Larnian is also currently used to refer to people from Larne.

Larne takes its name from ''Latharna'', a [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]] territory or ''[[túath]]'' that was part of the [[Ulaid]] [[petty kingdom]] of ''[[Dál nAraidi]]''.<ref name="MacCotter229-30"/> The name spelt as ''Latharne'' was used at one point in reference to the Anglo-Norman [[cantred]] of [[Carrickfergus]].<ref name="MacCotter229-30"/> ''Latharna'' itself means "descendants of [[Lathar]]", with Lathar according to legend being a son of the pre-Christian king [[Úgaine Mór]].<ref name="PlacenamesLarne"/> The town sprang up where the River Inver flows into Larne Lough. This area was known in Irish as ''Inbhear an Latharna'' ("rivermouth/estuary of Latharna")<ref name=Joyce>{{cite book | author = Patrick Weston Joyce | author-link = Patrick Weston Joyce | date = 1870 | title = Irish Local Names Explained | url = https://www.libraryireland.com/IrishPlaceNames/Larne.php | via = Library Ireland | access-date = 10 October 2020}}</ref> and was later anglicised as ''Inver Larne'' or simply ''Inver''. ''Latharna'' was only applied exclusively to the town in recent centuries. The [[Roman Empire|Roman]] emperor [[Septimius Severus|Severus]] is known to have described how, in 204 AD, a Roman galley bound for Scotland veered off course to a place called Portus Saxa, which was believed to be [[Larne Lough]].
There was [[Viking]] activity in the area during the 10th and 11th centuries AD. Viking burial sites and artefacts have been found in the area and dated to that time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/the-sea-stallion-past-and-present/the-vikings-in-the-west/ireland/larne-viking-grave/|title=Fejl: Siden blev ikke fundet / adgang er ikke tilladt|access-date=16 April 2017|archive-date=16 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716185724/http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/the-sea-stallion-past-and-present/the-vikings-in-the-west/ireland/larne-viking-grave/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Ulfreksfjord'' was an [[Old Norse]] name for Larne Lough. According to the Norse historian [[Snorri Sturluson]], Connor, King of Ireland, defeated [[Orkney]] Vikings at ''Ulfreksfjord'' in 1018. Later anglicised names include ''Wulfrichford'', ''Wolderfirth'', ''Wolverflete'' and the surviving name ''Olderfleet''. The ending ''-fleet'' comes from the Norse ''fljot'', meaning "[[inlet]]".<ref name=oldufljot>[[Geoffrey Malcolm Gathorne-Hardy]]. [https://archive.org/stream/norsediscoverers00gathrich/norsediscoverers00gathrich_djvu.txt ''The Norse Discoverers of America'']. Clarendon Press, 1921.</ref> ''Older-'' may come from the Norse ''oldu'', meaning "wave".<ref name=oldufljot/> The town [[motto]] is ''Falce Marique Potens'' ([[Latin]] for "Powerful with the [[sickle]] and on the sea").<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-25 |title=Falce marique potens (Heraldic motto) |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Falce_marique_potens |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Heraldry of the World |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Ruins of Olderfleet Castle, Larne.jpg|thumb|upright|Ruins of [[Olderfleet Castle]] in the late 19th century]]In the 13th century the Scots [[Bissett family (Ireland)|Bissett family]] built [[Olderfleet Castle]] at Curran Point. In 1315, [[Edward the Bruce]] of Scotland (brother of [[Robert the Bruce]], King of Scotland) landed at Larne with his 6000 strong army en route to conquer Ireland, where [[Olderfleet Castle]] was of strategic importance. Edward saw Ireland as another front in the ongoing war against Norman England.

In 1569, Queen [[Elizabeth I]], Queen of England and Ireland, appointed [[Moyses Hill|Sir Moyses Hill]] as the governor of Olderfleet Castle. It was seen as strategically important for any [[Tudor conquest of Ireland|Tudor conquest of Ulster]]. Following the 17th century [[Union of the Crowns]] of Scotland, England and Ireland under [[James VI & I]] many more settlers would have arrived to Ulster via Larne during the [[Plantation of Ulster]]. The area around County Antrim itself, however, was not part of the official 17th century Plantation; instead many Scottish settlers arrived in the area through private settlement in the 17th century.

During the 18th century many [[Scotch-Irish American|Scots-Irish]] emigrated to America from the port of Larne. A monument in the Curran Park commemorates the ''Friends Goodwill'', the first emigrant ship to sail from Larne in May 1717, heading for Boston, Massachusetts in the [[New England]] region of the modern United States of America. Boston's long standing [[Scotch-Irish American|Scots-Irish]] roots can be traced to Larne. The town is documented as being the first in county Antrim to be taken by United Irishmen during the ill-fated [[rebellion of 1798]].  The Protestant rebels from this area (almost entirely Presbyterian) filled Larne and engaged the government forces around 2am on the morning of 7 June.  This surprise attack drove the garrison to flee the town, at which point the rebel force marched off to join up with [[Henry Joy McCracken|McCracken]] and fight in the [[Battle of Antrim]].<ref>Hope, J., & Newsinger, J. (2001). United Irishman : the autobiography of James Hope: The autobiography of James Hope. p33-34 London: Merlin.</ref>

In 1914, [[Ulster loyalism|Loyalists]] opposed to the [[Home Rule Act 1914]] prepared for armed resistance. In an episode known as the [[Larne Gun Running]] German, Austrian and Italian weapons with ammunition were transported into the ports of Larne and Bangor in the dead of night and distributed throughout Ulster.<ref>A. T. Q. Stewart: "The Ulster Crisis", London, Faber and Faber Ltd., 1967 SBN 571 08066 9</ref> This event marked a major step in cementing the right to [[Ulster Unionism|Ulster Unionist]] [[self-determination]], with the recognition of such a right ultimately leading to the creation of [[Northern Ireland]].

=== The Troubles ===
Larne throughout the course of [[The Troubles]] had a significant paramilitary presence in the town, mostly through the presence of the [[Ulster Volunteer Force (1966)|Ulster Volunteer Force]] (UVF) and [[Ulster Defence Association]] (UDA). For further information see [[UDA South East Antrim Brigade]].

The town suffered a number of [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) bomb attacks during The Troubles, notably including a large car bomb at the King's Arms hotel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pacemakerpressintl.com/photo?id=133846|title=PaceMaker Press|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref> in 1980 that caused damage to the main shopping areas, for which the IRA claimed responsibility. This incident was raised in Parliament at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1980/may/06/terrorist-incident-larne|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|date=6 May 1980|title=Terrorist Incident (Larne)  |access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref>

Incidents which involved fatalities
*16 September 1972: Sinclair Johnston a UVF member, was shot by the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] during street disturbances in the town when the Royal Ulster Constabulary were protecting Catholics living in St Johns Place.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 264-265</ref>
*20 November 1974: Kevin Regan died from his injuries received in a UVF attack five days before on Maguires bar on Lower Cross Street. The Larne UDA blamed the IRA for the attack.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 495-496</ref>
*6 February 1975: Colette Brown, a Catholic, was found by the side of the Killyglen Road after being shot by Loyalists.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 514-515</ref> Two men, one a UVF member the other a Lance Corporal in the UDR (Ulster Defence Regiment) were later convicted of her murder.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 366</ref>
*8 September 1975: Michael O'Toole a Catholic, died from his injuries sustained in a loyalist booby trap bomb attached to his car two days previously.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 575-576</ref>
*24 August 1980: Rodney McCormick a Catholic, was shot dead by the [[Ulster Defence Association]] (UDA) in the Antiville area of the town. The gunmen involved were convicted.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 836</ref>
*11 July 2000: Andrew Cairns a UVF member, was killed by members of the UDA<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-07-13 |title=UVF man shot as loyalists fall out |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/jul/13/northernireland.jamiewilson |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> at an [[eleventh night]] bonfire celebration in a suspected loyalist feud at Boyne Square. He may also have been murdered due to his alleged involvement in an earlier assault.<ref>David McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' page 1478-1479</ref> The Royal Ulster Constabulary detective inspector, George Montgomery, did not find any motive for the murder. [[David Ervine]] (PUP) stated that there was no Loyalist feud.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/831717.stm|title=BBC News – NORTHERN IRELAND – Fresh appeal after bonfire murder|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Sailing on the North Channel - geograph.org.uk - 312647.jpg|thumb|275px|Photograph looking north from [[Islandmagee]] illustrating the proximity to [[Scotland]].<br /><br />In the foreground is [[Islandmagee]] in Northern Ireland, followed by [[Stena Line]] ferries entering and leaving Larne, and [[The Maidens]] lighthouses.<br /><br />In the background are the Scottish [[Paps of Jura]] on the left and [[Mull of Kintyre]] on the right.]]
Larne sits on the western side of a narrow inlet that links [[Larne Lough]] to the sea. On the eastern side of the inlet is a [[peninsula]] called [[Islandmagee]]. To the west of Larne is the ancient volcanic formation of [[Antrim Plateau]], with its glaciated valleys scenically sweeping down to the sea to the north of Larne in what are known as the [[Glens of Antrim]]. Larne is 25 miles from the Scottish mainland, with views across the [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]] towards the [[Mull of Kintyre]], [[Rhins of Galloway]], [[Islay]] and [[Paps of Jura]] often visible from the Larne area – this proximity to [[Scotland]] has had a defining influence on Larne's history and culture.

The town is within the small [[civil parish|parish]] of the same name. Like the rest of Ireland, this parish is divided into [[townland]]s. The following is a list of townlands within Larne's urban area, along with their likely [[etymology|etymologies]]:<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.placenamesni.org/index.php
| title=Northern Ireland Placenames Project
| access-date=2010-06-12
}}</ref>

*Antiville (likely from ''An Tigh Bhile'' meaning "the house of the old tree")
*Ballyboley (from ''Baile Buaile'' meaning "townland of the [[Transhumance#Ireland|booley]]/dairy place")
*Ballycraigy (from ''Baile Creige'' meaning "townland of the rocky outcrop")
*Ballyloran (from ''Baile Loairn'' meaning "Loarn's townland")
*Blackcave North
*Blackcave South
*Curran and Drumalis (from ''Córran'' meaning "crescent" and ''Druim a' Lios'' meaning "ridge of the ringfort")
*Greenland
*Inver (from ''Inbhear'' meaning "rivermouth")

Many street names in Larne end in ''[[brae]]'', such as 'Whitla's Brae'  which comes from the Scots for "hillside".

===Civil parish of Larne===
The civil parish contains the following townlands:<ref name=Ire/>
[[Antiville, County Antrim|Antiville]], [[Ballyboley (Larne)|Ballyboley]], Ballycraigy, [[Ballyloran]], [[Blackcave North]], [[Blackcave South]], [[Curran and Drumaliss]], [[Glebe (Larne)|Glebe]], [[Greenland, County Antrim|Greenland]] and [[Town Parks (Larne)|Town Parks]].

===Gallery===
{{wide image|File:Larne from The Roddens (wide crop) (geograph 6247078).jpg|800px|[[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]], Larne town, [[Islandmagee]] and [[Larne Lough]] from The Roddens.}}
{{wide image|Panorama of Antrim Plateau and Antrim Coast from Blackcave area of Larne - geograph.org.uk - 2526485.jpg|900px|Panorama of the [[Antrim Plateau]] and Antrim Coast from the Blackcave area of Larne.<br />From left to right (panning from West to North): Craigy Hill, Agnew's Hill, Sallagh Braes, Knock Dhu, [[Scawt Hill]], [[Drains Bay]], [[Ballygally]] Head, [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]]}}

==Places of interest==
[[File:Chaine Monument View - geograph.org.uk - 2092694.jpg|thumb|275px|Looking towards Chaine Memorial Tower and north along the Antrim Coast towards the [[Glens of Antrim]]]]
[[File:Bandstand, Larne - geograph.org.uk - 428576.jpg|thumb|The bandstand on Larne Main Street. Removed in 2016 during upgrade work to the town centre pavements.]]
[[File:The 'Northern Ireland Maze', Carnfunnock Country Park (detail) - geograph.org.uk - 797992.jpg|thumb|[[Maze]] in the shape of Northern Ireland in [[Carnfunnock Country Park]]]]
The town has several parks, including Town Park, Chaine Park, Curran Park, and Smiley Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.larne.gov.uk/template1.asp?pid=1201&area=6&parent=907|title=Larne Borough Council overview|access-date=16 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408194320/http://www.larne.gov.uk/template1.asp?pid=1201&area=6&parent=907|archive-date=8 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other leisure facilities include Larne Leisure Centre<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.larne.gov.uk/template1.asp?area=6&pid=819&text=1Larne|title=Leisure Centre|access-date=16 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514033752/http://www.larne.gov.uk/template1.asp?pid=819&area=6&text=1Larne|archive-date=14 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Larne Museum & Arts Centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.larnemuseumandartscentre.com/|title=bB査定☆超簡単に高額査定ゲット！わかりやすく解説しています|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref> Cairndhu Golf Course is situated atop of [[Ballygally]] Head<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cairndhugolfclub.co.uk/|title=Home|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref> and Larne Golf Course on sits atop of the [[Islandmagee]] peninsula.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.larnegolfclub.co.uk/|title=Home|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref>

Significant buildings and structures include [[Olderfleet Castle]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Olderfleet Castle | work=Environment and Heritage Service NI – State Care Historic Monuments | url=http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/state_care_monuments_2007.pdf | accessdate=2007-12-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722033155/http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/state_care_monuments_2007.pdf | archive-date=2012-07-22 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Magheramorne]], 5 miles to the south along [[Larne Lough]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.magheramorneworks.co.uk/quarry.html|title=Magheramorne reinvented by Lafarge|access-date=16 April 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628123647/http://www.magheramorneworks.co.uk/quarry.html|archive-date=28 June 2016}}</ref> has a film studio which was used to film much of [[HBO]] TV Series ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media |title=''Game of Thrones'' Season 5: A Day in the Life |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9Mi17nLflY  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/p9Mi17nLflY |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|date=8 February 2015 |access-date=17 July 2017 |publisher=[[HBO]] |via=[[YouTube]] }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Demography==
===2021 Census===
On census day (21 March 2021) there were 18,853 people living in Larne.<ref name="2021 pop">{{cite web |title=Settlement 2015 |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000389 |website=NISRA |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref> Of these:
* 17.77% were aged under 16, 63.10% were aged between 16-65, and 19.13% were aged 66 and over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preview data for your table {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=AGE_BAND_AGG3&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000389 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}</ref>
* 51.27% of the usually resident population were female and 48.73% were male.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Sex (MS-A07) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=UR_SEX&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000389 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}</ref>
* 62.4% belong to or were brought up [[Protestantism|Protestant]] (including other Christian-related denominations), 23.9% belong to or were brought up [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], 0.9% belong to or were brought up in an 'other' religion, and 12.8% [[Irreligion|did not adhere to]] or weren't brought up in any religion.<ref>{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000389 |website=NISRA |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref>
* 66.6% indicated that they had a British national identity,<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000389 |website=NISRA |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref> 38.3% had a Northern Irish national identity,<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000389 |website=NISRA |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref> 10.3% had an Irish national identity,<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000389 |website=NISRA |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref> and 4.2% indicated they had an 'other' national identity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preview data for National identity (person based) - basic detail (classification 1) (MS-B15) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BASIC&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000389 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}</ref> (respondents could indicate more than one national identity).
* 17.51% had some knowledge of [[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster Scots]] and 3.84% had some knowledge of [[Irish language|Irish]] (Gaeilge).

===2011 Census===
On census day (27 March 2011) there were 18,755 people living in Larne, accounting for 1.04% of the NI total.<ref name=Census2011>{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Larne@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Larne@23? | title = Census 2011 Population Statistics for Larne Settlement | publisher = [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA) | access-date = 10 August 2019}} [[File:UKOpenGovernmentLicence.svg|30px]] This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/  Open Government Licence v3.0]. © Crown copyright.</ref><ref name=Census2011LGD>{{cite web | url = http://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Larne@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Larne@3? | title = Census 2011 Population Statistics for Larne Local Government District | publisher = [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA) | access-date = 17 January 2017}}</ref> Of these:

* 18.59% were aged under 16 years and 18.00% were aged 65 and over.
* 51.98% of the usually resident population were female and 48.02% were male.
* 67.03% belong to or were brought up Protestant and other non-Catholic Christian (including Christian related) and 25.97% belong to or were brought up Catholic.
* 71.62% indicated that they had a British national identity, 30.56% had a Northern Irish national identity and 8.75% had an Irish national identity (respondents could indicate more than one national identity).
* 41 years was the average (median) age of the population.
* 17.20% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots and 4.02% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaeilge).

== Industry and commerce ==
[[File:Site of former paper mill, Larne.jpg|right|thumb|Larne in March 2007, with the FG Wilson plant dominating the top of the picture, Moyle Hospital in the centre, and the Laharna Retail Park (site of the former Invercon paper mill) at the bottom.]]
[[Ballylumford power station]] in Northern Ireland's main power station. Other energy operators in Larne include B9 Energy (a renewable energy development company).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.b9energy.co.uk|title=B9 Energy Homepage|first=B9|last=Energy|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref>

Larne is also home to the headquarters of Caterpillar (NI) Limited (part of the [[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar group]] which manufactures diesel and gas generators),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fgwilson.com/contactUs|title=FGW – Contact Us|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref> [[InspecVision]] (industrial inspection equipment),{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} TerumoBCT (a Japanese manufacturer of intravenous drip solutions and blood products),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.terumobct.com/location/emea/Pages/home.aspx|title=Terumo BCT|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref> and the LEDCOM (Larne Enterprise Development Company) business park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ledcom.org|title=LEDCOM -Expert business advice and resources in Larne and Co. Antrim|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref>

A number of shops can be found along Larne Main Street, Dunluce Street, Laharna Retail Park, and large supermarkets off the Harbour Highway near the harbour. A market is also held every Wednesday at the Larne Market Yard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.larne.gov.uk/template1.asp?pid=426&area=1&text=1|title=Larne Borough Council – Larne Market|access-date=16 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401014516/http://www.larne.gov.uk/template1.asp?pid=426&area=1&text=1|archive-date=1 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Larne Harbour from Inver.jpg|thumb|Larne Harbour from the hill at Inver]]

===Ferry===
Ferries sail from the harbour to [[Cairnryan]] in Scotland. Passenger services are operated by P&O Irish Sea which describes the crossings from Larne to Scotland as "the shortest, fastest crossings" due to the close proximity that Larne has to Scotland. An [[Irish Sea Bridge]] has been proposed, connecting Larne with Portpatrick in Scotland.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

===Road===
[[File:Blackcave_Tunnel,_Larne_-_geograph.org.uk_-_149046.jpg|thumb|The ''Blackcave Tunnel'' or "''Black Arch''" at the start of the scenic [[Antrim Coast Road]] at the northern edge of Larne.]]

Larne is connected to [[Belfast]] by the [[A8 road (Ireland)|A8 road]]. The [[A2 road (Northern Ireland)|A2 road]] or 'Antrim coast road' which runs along the Antrim coast, and passes through the scenic [[Glens of Antrim]], also serves the town. South of the town the A2 passes the side of [[Larne Lough]], via [[Glynn, County Antrim|Glynn]], [[Magheramorne]], and [[Ballycarry]], to [[Whitehead, County Antrim|Whitehead]] and [[Carrickfergus]]. The [[A36 road (Northern Ireland)|A36 road]] runs from the town to [[Ballymena]].

===Rail===
The [[Belfast–Larne railway line]] connects to [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central]] and [[Lanyon Place railway station|Belfast Lanyon Place]], via [[Whitehead railway station|Whitehead]], [[Carrickfergus railway station|Carrickfergus]] and [[Jordanstown railway station|Jordanstown]], also connects Larne to the [[Northern Ireland Railways]] [[rail transport in Ireland|network]]. Currently there is no freight transport by rail in Northern Ireland. Both [[Larne Town railway station]] and [[Larne Harbour railway station]] opened on 1 October 1862 and closed for goods traffic on 4 January 1965.<ref>{{cite web | title=Larne stations | work=Railscot – Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | access-date=2007-08-28}}</ref>

The [[Ballymena and Larne Railway]] was a [[narrow-gauge railway]]. It opened in 1878, was closed to passengers in 1933 and finally completely closed in 1950. Another line ran from Larne to Ballyclare and some parts of it can still be made out where it ran along the Six Mile valley.

==Public services==
[[File:Town Hall, Cross Street, Larne - geograph.org.uk - 2083142.jpg|thumb|[[Larne Town Hall]]]]
[[Larne Town Hall]], the former headquarters of Larne Borough Council, was completed in 1870.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apps.communities-ni.gov.uk/Buildings/buildview.aspx?id=3215&js=true|title=Town Hall (HB 06/12/002)|publisher=Department for Communities|access-date=29 June 2021}}</ref> [[Moyle Hospital]] offers limited services after the closure of its accident and emergency department.<ref name=na>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/details.asp?id=3104&page=18|title=Moyle Hospital, Larne|publisher=National Archives|accessdate=29 March 2020}}</ref>

==Education==
Secondary schools serving the area include [[Larne Grammar School]] and [[Larne High School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csscni.org.uk/news/larne-high-school-shares-successes-with-minister|title=Larne High School shares successes with Minister|date=1 October 2020|publisher=Controlled Schools Support Council|access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref> [[Northern Regional College]] (formerly Larne Technical College) is a college of further education.<ref>{{cite web |title=Principal's reception |url=https://www.nrc.ac.uk/nrc/news/article/principals-reception-for-worldskills-gold-medal-winner |website=Northern Regional College|access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{See also|Category:People from Larne}}

*[[Smiley baronets]], series of baronets important in History of Larne
*[[Dianne Barr]], paralympic swimmer
*[[Billy Brown (Irish musician)|Billy Brown]], musician
*[[James Chaine]], Member of Parliament 
*[[Dave Clements]], footballer and football manager
*[[Fyfe Ewing]], musician, drummer ([[Therapy?]])
*[[Fergie (DJ)|Robert Ferguson]], disc jockey
*[[Keith Gillespie]], [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] and [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]] midfielder.
*[[Robert John Gregg]], pioneer of the academic study of [[Ulster-Scots dialects]] as well as a linguistic authority on [[Canadian English]]
*[[Mark Haggan]], activist
*[[Richard Hayward (actor)|Richard Hayward]], actor/singer, author
*[[Valerie Hobson]], actress
*[[Jeff Hughes (footballer)|Jeff Hughes]], footballer
*[[Michael Hughes (footballer)|Michael Hughes]], [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]] and [[Coventry City]] footballer
*[[Whitford Kane]], actor
*[[Valerie Lilley]], actor (''[[Shameless (British TV series)|Shameless]]'')
*[[Phillip Magee]] (''[[The X Factor (UK series 2)|The X Factor]]'', series 2 finalist
*[[Ivan Magill|Sir Ivan Magill]], innovating anaesthetist; went to Larne Grammar school
*[[Dave McAuley]], former [[IBF]] [[Flyweight]] world champion [[Boxing|boxer]]
*[[Gareth McAuley]], current [[West Bromwich Albion]] defender
* [[Colin McGarry]], [[Professional Darts Corporation]] player 
* [[Adam McGurk]], footballer
* [[James McIlroy (athlete)|James McIlroy]], Olympic runner
*[[Bobby McKee]], [[Democratic Unionist Party]] councillor; former Mayor of Larne<ref>{{cite news |title =Bobby McKee elected new Mayor of Larne | work =Larne Times  | publisher =Johnston Publishing | date =12 June 2008 | url =http://www.larnetimes.co.uk/news/local-news/bobby-mckee-elected-new-mayor-of-larne-1-1707399 | access-date =11 August 2014 }}</ref>
*[[Jack McKee]], alderman and veteran [[loyalist]] politician 
*[[Michael McKeegan]], musician ([[Therapy?]])
*[[Amanda McKittrick Ros]], author, poet; taught at Millbrook National School during the 1880s
*[[Eddie McMorran]], footballer
*[[Arthur Meek]], army officer
*[[Eddie Mooney]], musician ([[The Dakotas (band)|The Dakotas]], [[The Fortunes]])
*[[Hugh Nelson (Canadian politician)|Hugh Nelson]], [[Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia]] (1830–1893)
*Robert Nelson, electronic music producer ([[Agnelli & Nelson]])
*[[Jonathan Rea]], [[Superbike World Championship]] rider
*[[Maxwell Reed]], actor
*[[Keith Semple (musician)|Keith Semple]], ([[One True Voice]] from the ITV series ''[[Popstars: The Rivals]]'')
*[[Jonny Steele]], [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.]], [[New York Red Bulls]] and Northern Ireland footballer
*[[Norman Surplus]], first person to complete a circumnavigation of Earth by [[Autogyro]]
*[[Harry Towb]], actor
<!---Editors Note: Please keep list to those born in Larne, listed in Alphabetical order by Surname. Only list names who are of national or international fame, unreferenced names, or those with no Wiki Article will be deleted--->

==Freedom of the borough==
In memory of a battle in the town of [[Musa Qala]] in Afghanistan in 2006, involving the [[Royal Irish Regiment (1992)|Royal Irish Regiment]], a new regimental march, composed by Chris Attrill and commissioned by [[Larne Borough Council]], was gifted to the regiment on Saturday 1 November 2008 in Larne, during an event in which the regiment was presented with "[[Freedom of the City|the Freedom of the Borough]]".

This gave the regiment the right to march through the towns of the borough with 'flags flying, bands playing and bayonets fixed'. The march was named ''Musa Qala''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/New-march-to-be-gifted.4651277.jp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912050135/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/New-march-to-be-gifted.4651277.jp|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2012|title=New march to be gifted at Larne ceremony|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref>

==Events==
The Friends Goodwill Music Festival occurs in May each year and supports local music.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/friends-goodwill-music-festival-returns-23807833|title=Friends Goodwill Music Festival returns to Larne|date=29 April 2022|newspaper=Belfast Live|access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref>

== Sport ==
===Association Football===
[[Larne F.C.]], a professional [[association football]] club, plays in the [[NIFL Premiership]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/larne-fc-owner-kenny-bruce-20590871|title=Larne FC owner Kenny Bruce lobbied Stormont parties to back embattled Mid and East Antrim council boss after NI Protocol letter row|date=14 May 2021 |publisher=Belfast Live|accessdate=1 January 2022}}</ref> Local amateur football clubs include [[Larne Technical Old Boys F.C.]] and [[Wellington Recreation F.C.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenafl.co.uk/teams/id/16|title= Wellington Recreation F.C.|publisher=Northern Amateur Football League| accessdate=18 November 2022}}</ref>

===Rugby Union===
Larne RFC is an amateur [[rugby union]] club, formerly based at Sandy Bay in the town, but relocated to the nearby village of Glynn in 1968.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Place and Mine - Larne - Rugby club moves to Glynn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/antrim/A1087355.shtml |website=BBC |access-date=13 May 2025}}</ref>

===Gaelic Games===

[[Latharna Óg GAC]] is a hurling club, located at Brustin Brae,<ref>{{cite web |title=Latharna Óg |url=https://www.foireann.ie/organization/antrim-latharna-og |website=Foireann.ie |access-date=13 May 2025}}</ref> just outside the town, and won the 2019 Antrim Junior B Hurling Championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=JHC – Mac Dáibhéid 1-12 Latharna Óg 3-12 |url=https://www.davitts.org/jhc-mac-daibheid-1-12-latharna-og-3-12/ |website=Míceal MacDaibeid CLG |access-date=13 May 2025}}</ref>

== Twin city ==
Larne is twinned with [[Clover, South Carolina|Clover]], [[South Carolina]], which has named one of its schools, [[Larne Elementary School]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clover.k12.sc.us/Domain/13|title=Larne Elementary School / Homepage|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref> after Larne.

==Notable facts==
* [[Larnite]] – this mineral is named after Larne.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://webmineral.com/data/Larnite.shtml|title=Larnite Mineral Data|website=webmineral.com}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of civil parishes of County Antrim]]
* [[List of localities in Northern Ireland by population]]
* [[List of RNLI stations]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="MacCotter229-30">{{cite book |title=Medieval Ireland. Territorial, Political and Economic Divisions|last=MacCotter|first=Paul|date=31 October 2014|publisher=The Heritage Council|isbn=9781846825576}}</ref>
<ref name="PlacenamesLarne">{{cite web |url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=16729|author=Place Names Northern Ireland|title=Larne, County Antrim|access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref>
}}

== Further reading ==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last1=Cowsill|first1=Miles|title=Stranraer–Larne: The Car Ferry Era|date=1998|publisher=Ferry Publications|location=Narberth, Pembrokeshire|isbn=1871947405}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Larne}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20190310020107/http://www.portoflarne.co.uk/about-us/history A history of the Port of Larne]

{{Northern Ireland towns}}
{{County Antrim}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Larne| ]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Towns in County Antrim]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Civil parish of Larne| ]]