Portglenone

Portglenone is a village and civil parish in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies 8. 5 miles (14 km) west of Ballymena. It had a population of 1, 174 people in the 2011 Census. Portglenone is beside the smaller village of Glenone (in County Londonderry), from which it is separated by the River Bann. HistoryIn 1197, a castle was built there for Norman invader John de Courcy. Places of interestPortglenone ForestPortglenone Forest Park, just outside the village, is classified as an 'Ancient Woodland', and has well marked nature trails, with the River Bann flowing through the forest. There is also a memorial to the United States servicemen stationed there during World War II. The foundations of their Nissen huts can still be seen throughout the wood. Portglenone AbbeyPortglenone Abbey Church, Our Lady Of Bethlehem Cistercian Monastery, occupies a Georgian mansion (Portglenone House) in the village. In the 1960s a new monastery was built, designed by Padraig Ó Muireadhaigh, which has won several architectural awards. Gig 'n The Bann FestivalThe Gig 'n the Bann is a local cross-community music and dance festival in Portglenone. It takes its name from the River Bann and has been held every year since 1999. Performers have included Paul McSherry and the junior members of Portglenone CCE Branch as well as former members of Déanta.

Portglenone is a village and civil parish in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies 8. 5 miles (14 km) west of Ballymena. It had a population of 1, 174 people in the 2011 Census. Portglenone is beside the smaller village of Glenone (in County Londonderry), from which it is separated by the River Bann. HistoryIn 1197, a castle was built there for Norman invader John de Courcy. Places of interestPortglenone ForestPortglenone Forest Park, just outside the village, is classified as an 'Ancient Woodland', and has well marked nature trails, with the River Bann flowing through the forest. There is also a memorial to the United States servicemen stationed there during World War II. The foundations of their Nissen huts can still be seen throughout the wood. Portglenone AbbeyPortglenone Abbey Church, Our Lady Of Bethlehem Cistercian Monastery, occupies a Georgian mansion (Portglenone House) in the village. In the 1960s a new monastery was built, designed by Padraig Ó Muireadhaigh, which has won several architectural awards. Gig 'n The Bann FestivalThe Gig 'n the Bann is a local cross-community music and dance festival in Portglenone. It takes its name from the River Bann and has been held every year since 1999. Performers have included Paul McSherry and the junior members of Portglenone CCE Branch as well as former members of Déanta.