Fair Head

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Fair 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. The headland of Fairhead rises 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. The lakes are stocked with trout and can be fished during the summer months.

Contents 1 Legend 2 Climbing 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Legend

According to legend, Fairhead got its name from the tale of a beautiful fair-headed girl who once lived in a castle on Rathlin Island. She had many suitors, leading to a fight between two of them. One was mortally wounded and, as he lay dying, whispered to his servant to dance with the girl on the cliffs below the castle. The faithful servant obeyed, and danced nearer and nearer the edge of the cliff until they both fell over and died. The spot on the mainland where the girl’s body was washed up was from then on known as ‘Fairhead’.[1]

[edit] Climbing

Fair Head's extensive cliffs, 3 miles long and up to 100 m high, composed of dolerite with an attractive columnar structure in places, are regarded as one of the best rock-climbing areas in Ireland or Britain. The Dal Riada Climbing Club maintains a climbing hut in the area.

[edit] See also

• List of climbing areas in Ireland

[edit] External links

• The Northern Ireland Guide: Pictures and Information on Fair head and the Crannog
• Fair Head Climbing
• Irish Climbing On-line