Ballycastle: Coast, History and Island Connections

Coast and Geology

If you are looking for a hotel in Ballycastle, you can start by deciding whether the coast is the right reason for your trip. Ballycastle Beach is about 1.2 kilometres long and consists mostly of sand, with some pebbly areas. The eastern part of the beach is part of the Ballycastle Coalfield ASSI. The Ballycastle Coalfield is also the best exposure of a coalfield succession in Ireland. This means that two different natural features can be found side by side here: the composition of a beach and a geological succession. The beach is about its length and surface material, while the Coalfield is about its geological structure. If you are interested in geology, this gives you a specific reason to see Ballycastle as more than just a coastal town. An exposure makes rock layers visible.

History and Museum

Bonamargy Friary was built in 1500 by Rory MacQuillan near the mouths of the Carey and Shesk rivers. At Ballycastle Museum, Bronze Age archaeology and the Taise Banner from the first Feis na nGleann in 1904 are distinct areas of focus; the banner is particularly highlighted there. The historical perspective thus spans a building dating from 1500, the archaeological era of the Bronze Age and a specific event in 1904. These different points of reference—a historic building, an archaeological period and a festival banner—make Ballycastle’s cultural themes easy to distinguish.

Ould Lammas Fair

The Ould Lammas Fair takes place every summer in Ballycastle. It includes a horse village where you can experience the tradition of horse trading. You can also sample dulse and Yellow Man at the fair. This brings together the tradition of horse trading and two local specialities, making the fair a seasonal reason to visit. Individual events may change from year to year, so if the festival is important to your trip, you should check the relevant event information.

Ferry and Golf

A ferry service connects Ballycastle with Rathlin Island in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The ferry departs from a signposted ferry terminal in Ballycastle. A timetable has been published for 2026; the service is seasonal and weather-dependent, and local departure arrangements may change. Ballycastle Golf Club offers a different focus: it combines parkland and links golf with elevated coastal holes and expansive sea views. Golf enthusiasts can therefore enjoy different styles of play in a setting that is explicitly coastal.

If the fair or the Rathlin ferry is the main reason for your trip, take the dates and timetable into account when choosing your hotel stay. The fair takes place in summer and its programme may change from year to year; the ferry is seasonal and weather-dependent.

Discover more destinations: Waterfoot, Bushmills, Ballintoy

For the overarching travel guide: Moyle.