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
Irish: Baile an Chaistil


Ballycastle harbour
Ballycastle, County Antrim (Northern Ireland)
Ballycastle, County Antrim

Ballycastle shown within Northern Ireland
Population 5,089
(2001 Census)
Irish grid reference D115407
 - Belfast 55 miles (89 km)
District Moyle District
County County Antrim
Constituent country Northern Ireland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town BALLYCASTLE
Postcode district BT54
Dialling code 028
Police Northern Ireland
Fire Northern Ireland
Ambulance Northern Ireland
European Parliament Northern Ireland
UK Parliament North Antrim
NI Assembly North Antrim
Website: www.northantrim.com
List of places: UK • Northern Ireland • Antrim

Coordinates: 55°12′18″N 6°15′29″W / 55.205, -6.258

Ballycastle (from the Irish: Baile an Chaistil meaning "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.

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 DUP leader Ian Paisley.

Contents

[edit] 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 Catholic background and 20.5% were from a Protestant background.
  • 5.5% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed.

For more details see: Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service[1]

[edit] Places of interest

  • Fair Head is Ballycastle's most outstanding landmark rising 196 metres 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 Age island or crannog 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). Easily climbed, just off the Moyle Way footpath. Gives extensive views over Ballycastle, Rathlin Island, Fair Head and Scotland.
  • Glentaise, the most northernly 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 bethrothed 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) continues to hold a European Blue Flag. The award is given on the basis of cleanliness, environmental awareness, management and service to name a few of the 28 criteria.
  • Pans Rocks (the remains of an iron salt pan) is at the far end of the beach which, jut out to the sea and are a popular location for fishing. They are easily accessible by a footbridge. Look out for the face carved in the rock! Some say its the face of a man carved by a woman who was forbidden to marry her true love. Others say its the face of a priest who drowned in the Devils Churn.
  • The Devils Churn is just beyond Pans Rocks. Steps have been carved into the stone to an under water tunnel. The sea floods and empties the tunnel hypnotically making a thunderous eerie noise.
  • Clare Park on Clare Road, was an estate owned by the then local landed gentry, the McGildownys. Sadly the 17th Century house has been pulled down but it was set in a spectacular site high-up on the Antrim coast. Worth a visit to see the views.
  • 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.
  • The Corrymeela Community (a Christian organisation promoting peace and reconciliation, founded in 1965) is based at Corrymeela, just outside Ballycastle.

[edit] 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 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. 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.[citation needed] A round holed cross marks her grave.
  • Kinbane Castle is situated on a headland projecting into the sea, about 3 miles (5 km) from Ballycastle on the road to Ballintoy. 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 Church (in Castle Street) has a distinctive round tower. [1]

[edit] People

The Marconi memorial
The Marconi memorial
  • Sir Roger Casement, 1864 - 1916, was an Irish patriot, poet, revolutionary and nationalist spent part of his youth in Magherintemple House, near Ballycastle.
  • 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 Marconi whose employees made the world's first commercial wireless telegraph transmission between here and the East Lighthouse on Rathlin Island.
  • Bishop Donal Lamont, 1911 - 2003, Emeritus Bishop of Mutare, Zimbabwe was born in Ballycastle. He was a leading figure opposing the Rhodesian oppression of the black population. Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978.
  • Author C. S. Lewis holidayed in Ballycastle for many years during the years of his writing the Chronicles of Narnia series.
  • TV and Radio presenter Eamonn Holmes' family holidayed in Ballycastle for many years when he was younger.
  • Current Antrim senior hurlers Ryan McGarry, Cormac Donnelly and Neil McAuley live in Ballycastle.
  • Actor Conleth Hill hails from Ballycastle.
  • Actress Michelle Fairley lived 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.
  • Kunal Kapur - Musician

[edit] Transport

[edit] Education

[edit] Primary

  • Saint Patrick's and Saint Brigid's Primary School
  • Bunscoil an Chaistil (Irish Medium School)
  • Ballycastle Primary School

[edit] Secondary

  • Cross and Passion College
  • Ballycastle High School

[edit] The Troubles in Ballycastle

Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Constable Spence McGarry died in the Castle Street area of the town on 6 April 1991 as a result of a Provisional Irish Republican Army booby trap bomb.

[edit] Parade Disputes

In the past there has been unrest regarding Orange Order 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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]

[edit] Sport

[edit] Gaelic games

  • Two Ballycastle players from McQuillans GAC received All Stars Awards, Dessie Donnelly (1989) and Paul McKillen (1993).
  • Eddie Donnelly (1976, 1977) and Kieran 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. Although considered a predominantly hurling club, McQuillans GAC also have a Senior, Under 12 and 14 Gaelic Football Team. Lately the club has begun to see the fruits of this particularly with Conor McAuley being the first player to represent the club with the County Antrim Minor football team which played in the Ulster Final in 2006.
  • The weekend of 23 March to 25 March 2007 marked McQuillans GAC's centennial celebrations, and coinicided with the opening of the new facilities, located on the Whitepark Road. The Sunday of the centennial weekend saw Antrim lose to Kilkenny, 2-21 to 0-11, in an NHL game. (The match was attended by Kilkenny native Nicky Brennan, President of the GAA.)
  • The Castle 2005/06 under 14s got to the All Ireland "C" final in Cork, losing to Naas.
  • The Castle 2005/06 under 14 Gaelic team won the club's juvenile trophy, the South West Antrim Shield.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Tennis

  • During the Summer the town hosts a tennis tournament.[4]

[edit] Football

  • Ballycastle United Football Club currently compete in the Michelin sponsored Ballymena and Provincial Intermediate League with a reserve team competing in the Michelin sponsored Ballymena and Provincial Junior League.

[edit] Bowls

  • Ballycastle Bowling Club (outdoors) is based at the sea-front.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service website.
  2. ^ Ballycastle station. Railscot - Irish Railways. Retrieved on 2007-09-10.
  3. ^ Baker, Michael HC (1999). Irish Narrow Gauge Railways. A View from the Past. Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-2680-7. 
  4. ^ Moyle Council

[edit] See also

[edit] External links