Carnlough and Glenarm ward encompasses two distinct coastal settlements along the Antrim coast. The area is defined by its working harbour in Carnlough, historically central to the limestone trade, and the planned estate village of Glenarm, centred around its castle and walled gardens. The landscape transitions from the sheltered bays to the steep, forested slopes of the Antrim Hills, which rise immediately inland, shaping the narrow coastal strip.
The ward's character is strongly influenced by these natural and built histories. Glenarm Castle remains a private family residence, with its demesne a significant local feature. The coastline here forms part of the longer Causeway Coastal Route, with the Glens of Antrim beginning to the north. Local life is connected to the sea, small-scale agriculture, and the seasonal rhythms of tourism drawn to the quiet harbours and walking paths like the Ulster Way.
