Ballycastle, County Antrim
Encyclopedia
Ballycastle is a small town
in County Antrim
in Northern Ireland
. Its population was 5,089 people in the 2001 Census
. It is the seat and main settlement of Moyle District Council
.
The town has a beach, and views across to Rathlin Island
and the Mull of Kintyre
in Scotland
. The town is at the northern mainland limit of the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
. Ballycastle is also famous for its Lammas Fair
, which is held every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of August. Ballycastle is the home of the Corrymeela Community
. The town forms part of the North Antrim
constituency and the elected MP is Ian Paisley Jr.
Of these:
For more details see: Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service
.
A ferry currently operated by the Rathlin Island Ferry Company runs between the town and Rathlin Island
, as part of a lifeline service. The ferry service to the island was formerly operated by Caledonian MacBrayne
.
Ferries formerly sailed between Ballycastle and Campbeltown
in Scotland
, but the service was suspended in June 2002.
A passenger ferry service to Campbeltown
now runs Friday to Monday during summer months and on Mondays & Fridays during winter months, and is operated by Kintyre Express.
Ballycastle railway station opened on 18 October 1880, but was closed on 3 July 1950. It was on the Ballycastle Railway
, a narrow gauge railway which ran 17 miles connecting Ballycastle to Ballymoney station
, on the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (BNCR), later Northern Counties Committee
(NCC) and now part of Northern Ireland Railways
.
parades in the town. In 2001, there was serious public disorder at the 12 July Orange Order parade. As a result of this the Silver Plains flute band from nearby Moyarget were banned from marching in the town due to allegations of sectarian conduct and paramilitary trappings. The North Antrim Orange Order held their annual parade in the town in 2006. Following discussions between residents, the Orange Order, business owners and Sinn Féin
the parade passed off without incident.
, Ballycastle experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. The nearest official Met Office
weather station
for which online records are available is at Ballypatrick Forest, about 4 miles East South East of Ballypatrick.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Its population was 5,089 people in the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
. It is the seat and main settlement of Moyle District Council
Moyle District Council
Moyle District Council is a Local Council in County Antrim in the north-east corner of Northern Ireland. It covers a largely rural area of approximately 190 square miles and has a population of 15,000...
.
The town has a beach, and views across to Rathlin Island
Rathlin Island
Rathlin Island is an island off the coast of County Antrim, and is the northernmost point of Northern Ireland. Rathlin is the only inhabited offshore island in Northern Ireland, with a rising population of now just over 100 people, and is the most northerly inhabited island off the Irish coast...
and the Mull of Kintyre
Mull of Kintyre
The Mull of Kintyre is the southwesternmost tip of the Kintyre Peninsula in southwest Scotland. From here, the Antrim coast is visible and an historic lighthouse, the second commissioned in Scotland, guides shipping in the intervening North Channel...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The town is at the northern mainland limit of the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Antrim Coast and Glens
The Antrim Coast and Glens is an area of County Antrim in Northern Ireland, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1988.The designation takes in the coastline from Ballycastle in the north to Larne in the south of County Antrim, and includes Rathlin Island...
. Ballycastle is also famous for its Lammas Fair
Ould Lammas Fair
The Auld Lammas Fair is a traditional fair held in Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of August. It is associated with the Lammas harvest festival....
, which is held every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of August. Ballycastle is the home of the Corrymeela Community
Corrymeela Community
The Corrymeela Community is a Christian community whose objective is the promotion of reconciliation and peace-building through the healing of social, religious, and political divisions in Northern Ireland...
. The town forms part of the North Antrim
North Antrim
North Antrim can refer to:*The northern part of County Antrim*North Antrim *North Antrim *North Antrim...
constituency and the elected MP is Ian Paisley Jr.
Demographics
Ballycastle is classified as a small town by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency website (i.e. with a resident population between 4,500 and 10,000 people). On 29 April 2001 (the date of the last census) there were 5,089 people living in Ballycastle.Of these:
- 25.3% were aged under 16 years and 18.7% were aged 60 and over
- 46.8% of the population were male and 53.2% were female
- 77.7% were from a CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
background and 20.5% were from a ProtestantProtestantismProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
background. - 5.5% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
For more details see: Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service
Places of interest
- Fair HeadFair HeadFair Head is a rocky headland at the north-eastern corner of Northern Ireland, in County Antrim. It lies 3 miles east of Ballycastle town, and is the closest part of the mainland to Rathlin Island...
is Ballycastle's most outstanding landmark rising 196 metres (643 ft) out of the bay. Goats can be seen roaming among the rocks beneath the clifftops, where a walkway called 'The Gray Man's Path' winds around the rugged coastline. From the road, a manmade Iron AgeIron AgeThe Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
island or crannogCrannogA crannog is typically a partially or entirely artificial island, usually built in lakes, rivers and estuarine waters of Scotland and Ireland. Crannogs were used as dwellings over five millennia from the European Neolithic Period, to as late as the 17th/early 18th century although in Scotland,...
can be seen in the middle of a large lake. - Knocklayde, a massive heather covered mountain (1695 ft) crowned by Carn na Truagh (the cairn of sorrow), which gives extensive views over Ballycastle, Rathlin Island, Fair Head and Scotland.
- GlentaisieGlentaisieGlentaisie is one of the nine Glens of Antrim in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It was shaped during the Ice Age by glaciers. The glen is most northerly of the nine glens and lies at the foot of Knocklayde mountain...
, the most northerly of the Nine Glens of Antrim, lies at the foot of Knocklayde mountain. It was named after the Princess Taisie, the daughter of King Dorm of Rathlin Island. According to legend, Taisie, renowned for her great beauty, was betrothed to Congal, heir to the Kingdom of Ireland. The king of Norway also sought her hand in marriage, and when he arrived to claim his bride, her wedding celebrations to Congal were underway. The King of Norway and his army tried to capture Taisie but in the subsequent battle he was killed and his army fled leaderless and empty handed. - Carey, Glenshesk & Tow Rivers flow down from the glens then eventually join together into one river. This is known as the Margy River which flows into the Moyle Sea at the start of The Strand...
- The Strand (Ballycastle Beach), which has a European Blue Flag.
- Pans Rocks, which are the remains of an iron salt pan, lying at the far end of Ballycastle Beach which jut out to the sea and are a popular location for fishing.
- The Devils Churn lying just beyond Pans Rocks, which has steps carved into the stone leading to an under water tunnel.
- Clare Park on Clare Road, was an estate owned by the then local landed gentry, the McGildownys. The 17th Century house has been pulled down but it was set in a site high-up on the Antrim coast.
- A popular cycling route runs from Ballycastle to CushendunCushendunCushendun is a small coastal village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It sits off the A2 coast road between Cushendall and Ballycastle. It has a sheltered harbour and lies at the mouth of the River Dun and Glendun, one of the nine Glens of Antrim. The Mull of Kintyre in Scotland is only about...
, by way of Torr Head, offering spectacular views and scenery. From the road above Torr Head, the whole of Moyle (the North ChannelNorth Channel (British Isles)The North Channel is the strait which separates eastern Northern Ireland from southwestern Scotland...
) can be seen. A popular spot for inshore sea fishing, Torr Head also boasts a coastguardCoast guardA coast guard or coastguard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea. However the term implies widely different responsibilities in different countries, from being a heavily armed military force with customs and security duties to being a volunteer organization tasked with...
station, which is notable in that it was built on and out of the remains of Dunvarragh, the fort of Barach. - The Corrymeela CommunityCorrymeela CommunityThe Corrymeela Community is a Christian community whose objective is the promotion of reconciliation and peace-building through the healing of social, religious, and political divisions in Northern Ireland...
(a Christian organisation promoting peace and reconciliation, founded in 1965) is based at Corrymeela, just outside Ballycastle.
Buildings of note
- Holy Trinity, Church of Ireland, is situated in the Diamond, i.e., the main square. Like the rest of the Diamond, the church is grade 'A' listed. The church was completed in 1756, being built by Colonel Hugh Boyd, who bore the total cost. It was built in Graeco-Italian style with an apse-shaped chancel and an octagonal spire about 100 feet high. It was effectively a chapel for the Boyd family & estate for many years - the remains of many Boyd descendants are in the vaults below - although it was always subject to Episcopal jurisdiction. It was given to the Church of Ireland in about 1950. This church is open every day from 9am-5pm.
- Bonamargy FriaryBonamargy FriaryBonamargy Friary is situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, off the Cushendall Road on the approach to Ballycastle. The name Bonamargy means ‘foot of the Margy River’, the river formed by the joining of the Cary River and Shesk Rivers....
is off the CushendallCushendallCushendall and formerly known as Newtown Glens is a village and townland in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.It is on the A2 coast road between Glenariff and Cushendun, in the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
Road on the approach to Ballycastle and is a late FranciscanFranciscanMost Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
foundation established in 1485 by Rory MacQuillan. Locked vaults hold the remains of the celebrated chieftain, Sorley Boy MacDonnellSorley Boy MacDonnellSomhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill , Scoto-Irish prince or flaith and chief, was the son of Alexander MacDonnell, lord of Islay and Kintyre , and Catherine, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan...
, and several of the earls of Antrim. The Friary's most famous resident is the 17th century prophet and recluse Julia MacQuillan. Known as "The Black Nun", she wished to be buried at the entrance of the chapel so that she might be trodden under the feet of those who entered. This is true A round holed cross marks her grave. - Kinbane CastleKinbane CastleKinbane Castle is situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on a long, narrow limestone headland projecting into the sea, approximately 5 km from Ballycastle on the road to Ballintoy. The name Kinbane means White Head and refers to the white limestone on which the castle stands...
is situated on a headland projecting into the sea, about 3 miles (5 km) from Ballycastle on the road to BallintoyBallintoyBallintoy is a small village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located alongside the B15 coast road, north-east of Coleraine, west of Ballycastle and between it and Bushmills...
. Originally a two story building, it was built in 1547 by Colla MacDonnell, who died within its walls in 1558. - There are several churches in Ballycastle. Ballycastle's Presbyterian ChurchPresbyterian Church in IrelandThe Presbyterian Church in Ireland , is the largest Presbyterian denomination in Ireland, and the largest Protestant denomination in Northern Ireland...
(in Castle Street) has a distinctive round tower.
People
- Keith Michael Patrick O'BrienKeith Michael Patrick O'BrienKeith Michael Patrick O'Brien is a Scottish Cardinal and the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh of the Roman Catholic Church. O'Brien is currently the only living Cardinal from Scotland....
, His Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, Primate of Scotland; member of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and also a member of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, was born here 17 March 1938. - John Samuel Bewley MonsellJohn Samuel Bewley MonsellRev. John Samuel Bewley Monsell - was an Irish Anglican clergyman and poet.-Life:Son of Thomas Bewley Monsell, Archdeacon of Derry, he was born in St. Columb's, Londonderry, and educated at Trinity College, Dublin, receiving a BA in 1832 . He married Anne, daughter of Bolton Waller, of Shannon...
, 1811-1875, was Rector of Ramoan church from 1847 to 1853; he was responsible for the building of the parish church of St James in 1848, which replaced an earlier church dedicated to St Ereclacius nearby, and was a prolific hymnwriter. - Sir Roger Casement, 1864–1916, was an Irish patriot, poet, revolutionary and nationalist spent part of his youth in Magherintemple House, in Carey.
- Irish folk-singer and musician David McWilliams lived in Ballycastle for many years before his death in 2002.
- Overlooking the harbour there is a monument to Guglielmo MarconiGuglielmo MarconiGuglielmo Marconi was an Italian inventor, known as the father of long distance radio transmission and for his development of Marconi's law and a radio telegraph system. Marconi is often credited as the inventor of radio, and indeed he shared the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics with Karl Ferdinand...
whose employees made the world's first commercial wireless telegraph transmission between Ballycastle and the East Lighthouse on Rathlin IslandRathlin IslandRathlin Island is an island off the coast of County Antrim, and is the northernmost point of Northern Ireland. Rathlin is the only inhabited offshore island in Northern Ireland, with a rising population of now just over 100 people, and is the most northerly inhabited island off the Irish coast...
. - Bishop Michael DallatMichael DallatMichael Dallat D.D. M.A. S.T.L. was the Titular Bishop of Thala and Auxiliary Bishop of The Diocese of Down and Connor.- Early life and study :...
, (1925–2000), the former Titular BishopTitular bishopA titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Thala, former Auxiliary BishopAuxiliary bishopAn auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of The Diocese of Down and Connor and former Principle of St. Mary's University College, Belfast, was born and raised in Ballycastle. - Bishop Donal LamontDonal LamontBishop Donal Lamont was an Irish-Rhodesian Catholic bishop and a Roman Catholic missionary to Africa who was best known for his fight against white minority rule in Rhodesia .-Early days:...
, 1911–2003, Emeritus Bishop of Mutare, Zimbabwe was born in Ballycastle. He was a leading figure opposing the Rhodesian government. Nominated for the Nobel Peace PrizeNobel Peace PrizeThe Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
in 1978. - Author C. S. LewisC. S. LewisClive Staples Lewis , commonly referred to as C. S. Lewis and known to his friends and family as "Jack", was a novelist, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian and Christian apologist from Belfast, Ireland...
holidayed in Ballycastle for many years during the time of his writing the Chronicles of Narnia series. - Current Antrim senior hurlers Cormac Donnelly, Ryan McGarry and Neal McAuley live in Ballycastle.
- Former allstars Dessie Donnelly, Brian Donnelly and Paul Mckillen live in Ballycastle.
- Hugh Boyd is seen as the founding father of Ballycastle. He substantially developed the town from 1730's onwards from a small seaside hamlet.
- Christine Scarlett,(now Nielsen) member of Ballycastle Golf Club, won the Irish Girls' Championship at Milltown Golf Club in 1964. She lived in Ballycastle for the first 22 years of her life, emigrating to the United States in 1968.
Transport
Bus services in Ballycastle are operated by TranslinkTranslink (Northern Ireland)
Translink is the brand name of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company , a public corporation in Northern Ireland which provides the public transport in the region. NI Railways, Ulsterbus and Metro are all part of Translink....
.
A ferry currently operated by the Rathlin Island Ferry Company runs between the town and Rathlin Island
Rathlin Island
Rathlin Island is an island off the coast of County Antrim, and is the northernmost point of Northern Ireland. Rathlin is the only inhabited offshore island in Northern Ireland, with a rising population of now just over 100 people, and is the most northerly inhabited island off the Irish coast...
, as part of a lifeline service. The ferry service to the island was formerly operated by Caledonian MacBrayne
Caledonian MacBrayne
Caledonian MacBrayne is the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries, and ferry services, between the mainland of Scotland and 22 of the major islands on Scotland's west coast...
.
Ferries formerly sailed between Ballycastle and Campbeltown
Campbeltown
Campbeltown is a town and former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies by Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre peninsula. Originally known as Kinlochkilkerran , it was renamed in the 17th century as Campbell's Town after Archibald Campbell was granted the site in 1667...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, but the service was suspended in June 2002.
A passenger ferry service to Campbeltown
Campbeltown
Campbeltown is a town and former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies by Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre peninsula. Originally known as Kinlochkilkerran , it was renamed in the 17th century as Campbell's Town after Archibald Campbell was granted the site in 1667...
now runs Friday to Monday during summer months and on Mondays & Fridays during winter months, and is operated by Kintyre Express.
Ballycastle railway station opened on 18 October 1880, but was closed on 3 July 1950. It was on the Ballycastle Railway
Ballycastle Railway
Ballycastle Railway was a narrow gauge railway line which ran from Ballycastle to Ballymoney, both in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.-History:...
, a narrow gauge railway which ran 17 miles connecting Ballycastle to Ballymoney station
Ballymoney railway station
Ballymoney railway station serves Ballymoney in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The refurbishment of the railway station was completed in May 1990.Ballymoney station opened on 4 December 1855, and was closed to goods traffic on 4 January 1965...
, on the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (BNCR), later Northern Counties Committee
Northern Counties Committee
The Northern Counties Committee was a railway that served the north-east of Ireland. It was built to Irish gauge but later acquired a number of narrow gauge lines...
(NCC) and now part of Northern Ireland Railways
Northern Ireland Railways
NI Railways, also known as Northern Ireland Railways and for a brief period of time, Ulster Transport Railways , is the railway operator in Northern Ireland...
.
The Troubles in Ballycastle
- early 1970s - Loyalist car bomb left outside Catholic church in the town, timed to explode as massgoers left the church, detonated early thereby avoiding large-scale loss of life.
- 1979, 3 August - William Whitten (65), a Protestant bystander died six weeks after being injured in an Irish Republican ArmyIrish Republican ArmyThe Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
(IRA) bomb attack on Marine Hotel, Ballycastle, County Antrim.
- 1991, 6 April - Spence McGarry (46), a Protestant off duty member of the Royal Ulster ConstabularyRoyal Ulster ConstabularyThe Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
(RUC) was killed in a Provisional Irish Republican ArmyProvisional Irish Republican ArmyThe Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
booby trap bomb attached to his car, Castle Street, Ballycastle.
- 2001 - An attempt at mass murder by the Ulster Volunteer Force when a car bomb was left in Castle Street during the annual Lammas Fair.
Parade disputes
In the past, there has been unrest regarding Orange OrderOrange Institution
The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and United States. The Institution was founded in 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland...
parades in the town. In 2001, there was serious public disorder at the 12 July Orange Order parade. As a result of this the Silver Plains flute band from nearby Moyarget were banned from marching in the town due to allegations of sectarian conduct and paramilitary trappings. The North Antrim Orange Order held their annual parade in the town in 2006. Following discussions between residents, the Orange Order, business owners and Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
the parade passed off without incident.
Climate
As with the rest of the British IslesBritish Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
, Ballycastle experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. The nearest official Met Office
Met Office
The Met Office , is the United Kingdom's national weather service, and a trading fund of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
weather station
Weather station
A weather station is a facility, either on land or sea, with instruments and equipment for observing atmospheric conditions to provide information for weather forecasts and to study the weather and climate. The measurements taken include temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind...
for which online records are available is at Ballypatrick Forest, about 4 miles East South East of Ballypatrick.
Sport
- Sports including tennis, bowling (Mary Street), hurling, gaelic football (Whitehall/Leyland Road), and recurrently skateboarding are all local interests.
Gaelic Games
- The McQuillans GAA club has won 17 Antrim Senior Hurling Championships, more than any other club. The club has won 6 Ulster Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipUlster Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipThe Ulster Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual tournament played between the senior hurling clubs in Ulster. There are nine county championships between the nine counties of Ulster. The nine winners go on to play each other in the Ulster Club Championship in a knock-out format...
s and were the beaten finalists in the 1980 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
final.
Golf
- Ballycastle Golf Club offers a full 18 hole, part links, part parkland, championship course open to both members and non-members all year round. It is one of the four courses played each June in the world renowned Causeway Coast Golf Tournament.
Football
- Ballycastle United Football ClubBallycastle United F.C.Ballycastle United Football Club currently compete in the Coleraine and District morning league, having formerly played in intermediate-level the Premier division of the Ballymena & Provincial Intermediate League in Northern Ireland.-External links:*...
combined with Moyle FC in 2011 the team now competes in the Coleraine and District morning league.
See also
- List of towns in Northern Ireland
- List of villages in Northern Ireland
- Market Houses in Northern IrelandMarket Houses in Northern IrelandMarket houses are a notable feature of many Northern Ireland towns with varying styles of architecture, size and ornamentation making for a most interesting feature of the streetscape. Originally there were three, four or even five bays on the ground floor which were an open arcade. An upper...
External links
- Four Swans Festival
- Ballycastle Online.
- Ballycastletown Local website about Ballycastle Town and The Nine Glens of Antrim.
- Ballycastle, County Antrim Article on the history of Ballycastle, by Hugh A. Boyd.
- The Northern Ireland Guide More tales and information on The Black Nun, Fairhead and Ballycastle.
- McQuillans GAC
- Ballycastle United Football Club
- lammasfair.com An irreverent look at Ballycastle and the Ould Lammas Fair.