| Whitehead | |
|---|---|
 The shorefront | |
  Location withinNorthern Ireland | |
| Population | 3,802 (2011 Census) |
| District | |
| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CARRICKFERGUS |
| Postcode district | BT38 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| UK Parliament | |
| NI Assembly | |
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Whitehead (Irish:An Cionn Bán[1]) is a small seasidetown on the east coast ofCounty Antrim,Northern Ireland, lying almost midway between the towns ofCarrickfergus andLarne. It lies within thecivil parish ofTemplecorran, the historicbarony ofBelfast Lower,[2] and is part ofMid and East Antrim Borough Council. Before thePlantation of Ulster its name was recorded as both Whitehead and Kinbaine (from Irish an Cionn Bán 'the white head').[3]
Located at the base of Muldersleigh Hill, Whitehead lies in a small bay between the limestone cliffs of Whitehead and the black volcanic cliff of Blackhead, with theBlackhead Lighthouse on top, marking the entrance to theBelfast Lough. Whitehead is about 20 miles (32 km) fromBelfast. On the opposite coast ofBelfast Lough, theCopeland Islands,Bangor and part of theCounty Down coastline, are clearly visible.
It had a population of 3,802 in the2011 Census.[4] Whitehead sometimes known as 'The Town With No Streets', as there are no roadways with the suffix "Street" in their name.[citation needed]
In late Victorian and Edwardian times, Whitehead was a seaside holiday destination developed by and travelled from Belfast and the surrounding area each year. Whitehead is a Victorian railway village with a preservedconservation area, including the railway station. It is home to theRailway Preservation Society of Ireland,[5] County Antrim Yacht Club and the Council owned Bentra Golf Course, as well as being the starting point for theGobbins Path.The town also was home to an aerodrome during theFirst World War which housed two airships.
An Irish railway engineer calledBerkeley Deane Wise took this tourism endeavour to the next level,[tone] creating innovative new paid-for attractions that would encourage visitors to use the railway company's services. Just south ofGobbins Path, Wise helped transform the small hamlet of Whitehead into a busy holiday resort. He designed and built a bandstand, ladies and gents bathing boxes, a 'children’s corner', a slipway and a pavilion with 500 seats.
Whitehead received a silver at theBritain in Bloom awards in 2005 and 2006, and a bronze in 2007 with the local Brighter Whitehead group planting many of the flowers.In 2012, Northern Ireland's only Jubilee Wood was planted at Whitehead to celebrate theDiamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
TheBlackhead Path was built by the Victorians in 1892, partly funded by the railway company, to attract day trippers and holiday makers to Whitehead which was at the time a growing tourist destination and resort. Wise also built a new pathBlackhead Path along the coast from Whitehead to the lighthouse at Blackhead, overlooking the town, in 1892. To reach the lighthouse he added several bridges and a tunnel. Wise soon had plans for a much more elaborate path built on sheer cliffs a few miles to the north: TheGobbins Path was about to be born.[tone] This free accessible path is a seaside walk past Sunshine House, aroundBlackhead Lighthouse and along theIrish Sea cliffs ofIslandmagee.
In 2018, the pathway was closed due to health and safety issues and a possibility of severe landslip.[6][7][8] TheMid and East Antrim Council started a full renovation of the whole path in 2019.[9][10][11] The path was reopened in July 2020.[12] It was partly closed again 2021 after a landslip.[13]
One primary school exists within the town - Whitehead Primary School. Another school, Lourdes Primary School, operated until June 2011.
Whitehead High School, an all-girls secondary school, was present until its closure in 1986. It is now the site of a nursing home.
Churches in the area include Whitehead Baptist Church, Whitehead Presbyterian Church, St Patrick's Church of Ireland, Whitehead Methodist Church, Our Lady of Lourdes (Roman Catholic), and Whitehead Congregational Church.[citation needed]
Sports clubs in Whitehead include a golf club, running club and bowling club. The latter, alawn bowls club, were 6-time winners of NIBA Division 1, including in 2015.[citation needed]
Founded in 1976 localassociation football club, Whitehead Eagles FC, play in theNorthern Amateur Football League having competed initially in the Larne and District League, winning the Larne Mineral Water Cup before progressing to the Dunmurray League where they achieved promotions in consecutive seasons and winning the Cyril Lord Shield .[citation needed]
County Antrim Yacht Club, based near Whitehead, offers dinghy sailing and RYA courses.[citation needed]
Whitehead railway station is on theLarne Harbour toBelfast Lanyon Place andBelfast Grand Central line. Located on theNI Railways network being part of theBelfast Suburban Rail as well as the home of theRailway Preservation Society of Ireland.
Whitehead had a population of 3,802 people at the2011 census,[4] an increase of 2.7% on the 2001 census figure of 3,702.<ref name=Census2001>"Census 2001 Usually Resident Population: KS01 (Settlements) - Table view".Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). p. 7. Retrieved30 July 2019.</ref Of these:
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