Larne has actually become way way way nicer than it used to be, over the last five years. I used to despise the place; now I quite like it.

The reason for this, as I understand it, is that the local council in Carrickfergus (town up the road) decided a while back to try to protect their interests by refusing to let any new businesses move into Carrick. This, combined with the fact that it was becoming well known as a hangout for Loyalist thugs, meant that an awful lot of businesses, shops, and people moved out to Larne instead: Carrick is now a ghost town whereas Larne is thriving. The post-industrial wasteland has mostly been cleared to make for shiny new developments of one sort or another. The town itself still isn't awesome pretty compared to the surrounding countryside, but it's a million miles away from the eyesore it used to be.

They've even replaced the fearsome mural of King Billy on the entrance to the town with something a little more tame and less sinister, and the "Welcome to Loyalist Larne" graffiti on the way in from Glynn has been sprayed over. I was impressed.