The Lagan Valley (, Ulster Scots: ''Glen Lagan'') is an area of

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...

between

Belfast Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom ...

and Lisburn. The River Lagan rises on Slieve Croob in County Down and flows generally northward discharging into

Belfast Lough Belfast Lough is a large, intertidal sea inlet on the east coast of Northern Ireland. At its head is the city and port of Belfast, which sits at the mouth of the River Lagan. The lough opens into the North Channel and connects Belfast to ...

. For a section, the river forms part of the border between the counties of Antrim and Down. The towpath which runs alongside the River between Lisburn and Belfast is popular with walkers, runners, cyclists, dog owners etc. It is a very scenic and peaceful area and is ideal for walking, cycling etc. As a cycle route the towpath forms part of

National Cycle Route 9 Route The route will eventually connect Belfast and Dublin. The route is currently signposted between the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in Belfast Newry. The portion south of Newry past Slieve Gullion was scrapped on safety grounds in 2020. ...

. There are a number of "off route" mountain bike trails along the route. The Lagan Valley is an

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB; , AHNE) is an area of countryside in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, that has been designated for conservation due to its significant landscape value. Areas are designated in recognition of ...

(AONB). The AONB was established in 1965 and the greater part of it lies within the Greater Belfast area.

Political constituency

The Lagan Valley is also the name of a constituency in the House of Commons covering Lisburn and surrounding areas, as well as the

Assembly constituency An electoral district, also known as an election district, legislative district, voting district, constituency, riding, ward, division, or (election) precinct is a subdivision of a larger state (a country, administrative region, or other polity ...

in the same area. The UK parliamentary constituency has been a Unionist stronghold. The current MP for the constituency is

Jeffrey Donaldson Sir Jeffrey Mark Donaldson (born 7 December 1962) is a Northern Irish politician who has served as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) since June 2021. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Lagan Valley since 1997, and lead ...

of the Democratic Unionist Party who was first elected as an

Ulster Unionist Party The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is a unionist political party in Northern Ireland. The party was founded in 1905, emerging from the Irish Unionist Alliance in Ulster. Under Edward Carson, it led unionist opposition to the Irish Home Rule m ...

candidate in 1997, retaining the seat in 2001. Following his defection to the DUP, he retained the seat in 2005.Lagan Valley
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References

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Northern Ireland Valleys of Northern Ireland Protected areas established in 1965 Protected areas of County Antrim {{Antrim-geo-stub