Ballycastle, County Antrim

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This article is about Ballycastle, County Antrim. For the village in County Mayo, see Ballycastle, County Mayo.

Ballycastle (in Irish: Baile an Chaistil, i.e. "townland of the castle") 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.

It is a pretty town with a beach, and scenic views across to Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland.

The Ould Lammas Fair

Ballycastle is also famous for its Ould Lammas Fair, which is held every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of August. Ballycastle is the home of the Christian peacebuilding Corrymeela Community.

1 Places of interest
2 People
3 Transport
4 GAA
5 2001 Census
6 Education
- 6.1 Primary
- 6.2 Secondary
7 Trivia
8 References
9 See also
10 External links

[edit] Places of interest

Fair Head is Ballycastle's most outstanding landmark rising 196m out of the bay. Wild goats can be seen roaming among the rocks beneath the clifftops, where a walkway called 'The Grey Man's Path' winds around the rugged coastline. From the road, a manmade Iron Age island or crannog can be seen in the middle of a large lake.
Bonamargy Friary is off the Cushendall Road on the approach to Ballycastle and is a late Franciscan foundation established in 1485 by Rory MacQuillan. Locked vaults hold the remains of the celebrated chieftain, Sorley Boy MacDonnell, and several of the earls of Antrim. Perhaps the Friary’s most famous resident is the 17th century prophet and recluse Julie MacQuillen. 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. A round holed cross marks her grave.
Kinbane Castle is situated on a headland projecting into the sea, about 5km from Ballycastle on the road to Ballintoy. Originally a two storey building, it was built in 1547 by Colla MacDonnell, who died within its walls in 1558.
A popular cycling route runs from Ballycastle to Cushendun, by way of Torr Head, offering spectacular views and scenery. From the road above Torr Head, the whole of Moyle (the North Channel) can be seen. A popular spot for inshore sea fishing, Torr Head also boasts a coastguard station, which is notable in that it was built on and out of the remains of Dunvarragh, the fort of Barach.

[edit] People

The Marconi memorial

The folk-singer David McWilliams lived in Ballycastle for many years before his death in 2002.
Overlooking the harbour there is a monument to Guglielmo Marconi who made his first wireless transmission from here to Rathlin Island. A local bar is named in his memory.
Author C. S. Lewis holidayed in Ballycastle for many years during the years of his writing the Chronicles of Narnia series.

[edit] Transport

A ferry service runs from Ballycastle harbour to Rathlin Island.

[edit] GAA

Two Ballycastle players from McQuillans GAC received All Stars Awards, Dessie Donnelly (1989) and Paul McKillen (1993).

Eddie Donnelly (1976, 1977) and Ciarán Kelly (2002) of McQuillans GAC represented Ireland in the Annual Hurling and Shinty Internationals against Scotland.

In 1980, McQuillans GAC were the first Antrim team ever to contest an All Ireland Club Final, they were subsequently defeated by Castlegar of Galway.

[edit] 2001 Census

Ballycastle is classified as a Small Town by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (ie with population between 4,500 and 10,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) 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 Catholic background and 20.5% were from a Protestant background
5.5% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed.

For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service