 When the North Irish Division was abolished on 1 July 1889 the title was altered to Antrim Artillery (Southern Division) RA.In 1888 the ancient castle and obsolete guns at Carrickfergus were replaced by two modern batteries to defend Belfast Lough, armed with 6-inch BL and 9-inch RML guns to be manned by the Antrim Artillery.At the end of the 19th Century the Antrim Artillery was largest militia artillery unit in Ireland, with 739 men enrolled (from an establishment of 980) in 1901.