This small resort is located in the far northeast of the
Irish mainland and at the most northerly point of the Antrim coast. Ballycastle’s main attraction is its wild and
windswept beach, with lovely views along the coast to Fair Head. At one end is an area known as Pans Rock,
the remains of an iron salt pan used by fishermen, and just beyond that is the
Devil’s Churn, with steps leading down to an underwater tunnel. Ballycastle’s big event of the year is the
Ould Lammas Fair, which originated in the 17th century, and which is
the subject of a ballad by John Henry MacAuley, a sculptor by craft. The first line of the ballad tells how “At
the Ould Lammas Fair in Ballycastle long ago I met a pretty colleen who set me
heart a-glow”. The Fair is held on the
last Monday and Tuesday of August. The Ballycastle Museum has displays relating to the local area.
On the way in to Ballycastle by the road from Cushendall lie
the ruins of Bonamargy Friary built by Rory MacQuillan in 1500. 88 years later the friary was seized by the
rival MacDonnell clan. Many of the features,
including a cloister, altar and burial vault, are still relatively unscathed,
although the roof is missing. The friary
is the last resting place of several Earls of Ulster and of Sorley Boy
MacDonnell. The friary is easily
accessible from the road, free to enter, and there are information boards for
visitors, who can also enjoy the lovely surroundings, including a golf course.
Live streaming webcam view courtesy of Marine Hotel.
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Pan's Rock - geograph.org.uk - 470238. Photo by Anne Burgess, via Wikimedia Commons.
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