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Larne takes
its name from the small medieval kingdom of Latharna meaning
"descendants of Lathair".
During the
18th century many Irish emigrated to America from the port
of Larne. A monument in Smiley Park commemorates the
Friends Goodwill, the first emigrant ship to sail from
Larne in May 1717, heading for Boston in the United States.
Boston's long standing Irish roots can be traced to Larne.
As with western and southern Ireland Larne, unlike some
areas of north–east (Antrim, Down, Louth and North Dublin)
and eastern Ireland (South Dublin, Wicklow), was hugely
affected by the Irish Famine of the mid 19th century. |