James Chaine

James Chaine (1841 – 4 May 1885) was an Irish shipping businessman and a Conservative Party politician in the Imperial Parliament of Great Britain and Ireland where he represented County Antrim, Ulster from 1874 to 1885.

The son of James Chaine of Ballycraigy and Carncastle and wife, Maria (from Antrim Town), was educated in Blackheath. In 1863, he married Henrietta Creery from Newcastle, County Down.

Chaine was influential in developing the cross-channel links between Larne and Stranraer, Scotland. Chaine was also known for helping link Larne Harbour with the United States of America & other inland Countys. He was the director of the Larne and Stanraer Boat Company, and was the key figure behind the building of the Port and Harbour of Larne. He promoted and financed construction of railroad lines from Larne to Ballyclare and from Larne to Ballymena Chaine himself became a major landowner by the purchase of a £64,000 estate in Carncastle followed by a £22,000 estate in Killead. He also owned a very large estate which was known as Ballycraigy hence his title and was situated where the famous housing estate in County Antrim is based.

Because of Chaines great contribution to the people of his constituency who came from many different backgrounds, they decided to build a monument which is situated in Larne Harbour and known as, "Chaine Memorial Tower".

Death He died after catching a chill, which developed into pneumonia. His estate was valued at £62,681. The Chaine Memorial, a replica Irish round tower, was built in Larne in 1888 to commemorate him.