Randalstown is a small town in Southern County Antrim, northern Ireland, located between the town of Antrim and Toome, on the main route between Derry and Belfast. It had a population of 4,956 people in the 2001 Census. It has a very prominent disused railway viaduct and lies beside Lough Neagh and the Shane's Castle estate. Originally called An Dun Mor - "the great fort" - Randalstown was named after the 2nd Earl and 1st Marquis of Antrim, Randal MacDonnell (1609-1683) and has strong links to the O'Neill family. The original stronghold of Edenduffcarrick was built in the 16th century and changed ownership repeatedly until it was renamed Shane's Castle after the new owner, Shane Mc Brian O'Neill. The O'Neill family still reside in the castle and enjoy a prominent position in Northern Ireland. The town is bypassed by the M22 motorway with junctions at both the eastern and western ends of the town.
