Editing Ballycastle, County Antrim (section)

== History ==
Ballycastle can trace its history back to the founding of a settlement around Port Brittas, the old name for Ballycastle Bay. It is from here that it has been suggested that [[Fergus Mór|Fergus Mór mac Eirc]], a purported king of [[Dál Riata|Dalriada]], sailed to Scotland and founded a large colony throughout [[Argyll]].<ref name="Forde1923">{{cite book |last1=Forde |first1=Rev. Hugh |title=Sketches of Olden Days in Northern Ireland |date=1923 |publisher=M'Caw, Stevenson & Orr |location=Belfast |chapter=Ballycastle |url=https://www.libraryireland.com/sketches/ballycastle.php}}</ref>

From the late 14th century the area was at the centre of the territory controlled by the [[MacDonnell of Antrim|MacDonnell's of Antrim]]. Descended from [[Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg]], it was through the marriage of [[John Mór Tanister|John Mór MacDonald]] and [[Margery Byset]] in 1399 that the clan laid the basis of their claim to the [[Glens of Antrim]]. However it wasn't until the 16th century when the celebrated chieftain [[Sorley Boy MacDonnell]] of [[Dunaneeny Castle]] established the clan in both the Glens and [[Route, County Antrim|The Route]].<ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle=MacDonnell, Sorley Boy |last=Dunlop |first=Robert |authorlink=Robert Dunlop (historian) |volume=35}}</ref>

The settlement around Dunaneeny Castle, along with the settlements at [[Bonamargy Friary]] and the castle in the area of the Diamond merged to become the present day town. It is from this castle, that stood on the site of Holy Trinity Church, which the town derived its name. [[Ballycastle Castle]] which had been in the possession of the MacDonnell's, before being seized by both Scottish and later [[Cromwellian conquest of Ireland|Cromwellian]] troops, fell into disrepair with the last remaining walls being removed in the 19th century.<ref name="Forde1923" />

Around the year 1786 Hugh Boyd, the son of the rector of Ramoan parish church, obtained a lease and permission from parliament to build a new harbour and pier to protect shipping. He is known for establishing coal shafts, potteries, a glass factory and a number of industries which under his care saw Ballycastle become a flourishing town. Hugh Boyd is credited for the construction or establishment of a number of buildings that still stand in the town today.<ref name="Forde1923" />