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The White House

The White House dates to the 16th century and is a fine example of a Plantation Bawn (a stone fortified dwelling).

This stone house was given to a Mr Brunker in 1574 by Elizabeth I in recognition of his military service in the Spanish Wars. It was included in the area granted to Sir Arthur Chichester by the Queen in 1604 and was occupied by George Martin, Sovereign of Belfast, in 1649.

It is said that William III met General Schomberg at the White House as a prelude to his Williamite wars in Ireland, which included the defeat of James II at the Boyne on 1st July 1690.

The remains of an ancient quay at Whitehouse point are described in the Ordnance Survey Memoirs, 1839. William landed a portion of his army here, or nearby on an artificial island known as 'Donald's Island', in June 1690*. This quay was destroyed in the late 1970s when the M5 motorway was built.

During the 19th century the White House was used for stabling and, in more recent times, as a Gospel Hall before becoming the home of the Abbey Historical Society.

Ordnance Survey Memoirs, 1838-39, Parishes of County Antrim 1, Vol. 2, pp71-72.

Take the M2 motorway leaving at Junction 2 (Greencastle). Turn right onto the A2 (Greencastle/Rathcoole) and continue along the Shore Road. Just after the Abbey Centre turning and Merville Garden Village on the left, turn right into Whitehouse Park.

Contact the Abbey Historical Society, tel: 028 9080 1690, for information about opening times.