Larne, Port settlement in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Larne is a port town on the eastern edge of County Antrim where the River Inver meets Larne Lough. The settlement spreads along the coast facing the sea, while ferry terminals and residential neighborhoods fan out around the natural inlet.
The Roman Emperor Severus mentioned the place in 204 AD as Portus Saxa during his sea expedition toward Scotland. Over the centuries the settlement grew into a key point for shipping routes between Ireland and the Scottish coast.
The name comes from Latharna, a Gaelic term linked to the Dál nAraidi realm and meaning descendants of Lathar in early Irish tradition. Today the harbor connects residents daily with Scotland, while the old center along the coast curves around the bay.
The ferry terminals sit close to the town center and offer regular crossings to Scotland for passengers and vehicles. Coastal walks along the shore give good views of the bay and the opposite headland.
Archaeologists found flintwork and objects from around 6000 BC during excavations near the area. These finds show early trade links between Ireland and Scotland across the narrow sea channel.
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