The first location on the Causeway Coastal Route is Newtownabbey, the name was formulated in 1958 to represent the older villages of Carmoney, Glengormley, Jordanstown, Monkstown, Whitehouse, Whitewell and Whiteabbey. Today these small settllements have merged into one another but each has their own distinct history.

Whiteabbey is the first you encounter and derives its name from a Premonstratensian Abbey which existed here in the 12^th century. The Premonstratensian in Ireland were known as the White Canons because they wore white habits. Their formal title was The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré which was founded by Saint Norbert at Prémontré near Laon (Picardy) in 1120. The same location that  St Gobain of  Glenshesk went too.

The Norbertine Order was very unique in regarding women and men as equals with women being known as canonesses. The order lived  in high austerity and ministered within the local community.

One of most important feature here is the White House, the ruins of which have now been restored as an interpretation centre. The building is referenced on a map in 1570 as one of only four buildings that existed between Belfast and Carrickfergus. The others were Belfast Castle, Lugg Castle and Carrickfergus Castle. It is 300 years older than the oldest building in Belfast (McHughs).

The old quay at Whitehouse served as a landing and shipping point for the developing settlement of Belfast, it was also where the troops of William lll landed in 1690. King William himself landed at Carrickfergus and rode to met General Schomberg at the White House before the campaign started.

Today the White House has an exhibition space which not only tells its own illustrious history but also that of the Williamite war in Ireland and its relationship to Europe. The exhibits include artefacts and clothing from the period.  To get there:

As you leave Belfast on the M5  following the Causeway Coastal Route signs, at the first roundabout you come to, take the first left and drive down 200 metres, on your left you will see a road called Whitehouse Park, turn in there and follow it down 300m to the restored building on the right hand side. It is only a few hundred metres detour but is well worth seeing. Here is the website for the venue and map reference.