Countryside Access

Public Rights of Way

People walking in a field

Under the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983, all councils in Northern Ireland have a duty to “assert, protect, keep open and free from obstruction any public right of way".

 In line with Councils policy, investigating officers welcome the submission of any relevant information or evidence as part of these investigations.

To submit evidence please download the Investigation Evidence Form and complete as much information as possible before returning to the Outdoor Recreation team.

If you are submitting additional documents as part of this evidence, please also download and complete the Documentary Evidence form detailing all the documents you are submitting.

If you have difficulty downloading or completing any of the attached forms, please contact the Outdoor Recreation team.

Read our Public Right of Way Policy


Current investigations

No active investigations.


Closed investigations

Alleged Public Right of Way Investigations June 2022

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are currently conducting a formal investigation into alleged Public Rights of Way in the Islandmagee area. Under the Access to the Countryside (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 local councils have a duty to assert, protect and keep open and free from obstruction or encroachment any Public Right of Way.

The alleged public right of way in question are as follows:

The Gobbins Path, Islandmagee

Council asked local residents with recollection of any of the alleged public rights of way being open and used to please use the appropriate downloadable evidence forms. Paper copies were provided on request.

Alternatively, they could contact the Outdoor Recreation team.

The investigation remained open from Monday 20 June until Friday 22 July 2022.


Under the Access to the Countryside (Northern Ireland) Order 1983, local councils have a duty to assert, protect and keep open and free from obstruction or encroachment any Public Right of Way.

The alleged public rights of way in question are as follows:

Between 103d and 105a Shore Road, Greenisland

Council would ask local residents with the recollection of any of these alleged public rights of way being open and used to use the Public Rights of Way evidence forms available below.

Paper copies can be provided on request.

Alternatively, please contact the Outdoor Recreation team at outdoor.recreation@midandeastantrim.gov.uk, or tel: 028 9335 8278

The investigation was open from Monday 4 April 2022 to Friday 6 May 2022.


Laneway adjacent to 6 Island Park, Greenisland 

Council's investigation was carried out in accordance with The Access to The Countryside (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 into the status of the path adjacent to 6 Island Park, Greenisland.

The land over which the path runs is in private ownership and is not a Public Right of Way.

Council have decided that they are unable to assert this Path as a Public Right of Way based on the evidence available. This decision was reached after consultation with local residents, landowners and legal advisors.

Accordingly, Council have no Statutory interest or responsibility for the Path or its condition.


School Lane to the Cairn View to Goldenview Park, Greenisland – Carrickfergus 

Adjacent to no. 13a Ruanbuoy Park to the foreshore - Carrickfergus

Lane from Ballysnod Rd to Owenstown Rd adjacent to 197 Ballysnod Road - Larne

These investigations were open from 15 November to the 13 December 2021.


For more information or to return completed forms, you can contact Parks & Open Spaces at

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Parks and Open Spaces
Museum and Civic Centre
11 Antrim Street
Carrickfergus
BT38 7DG

T: 028 9335 8271 

E: outdoor.recreation@midandeastantrim.gov.uk