Editing Ballycastle, County Antrim

{{short description|Seaside town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name                = Ballycastle
| irish_name                   = Baile an Chaistil<ref name="logainm">[https://www.logainm.ie/en/135717 Ballycastle]. [[Placenames Database of Ireland]].</ref>
| scots_name                   = Ballykessel,<ref>[http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/nsmc_annual_report_2002_-_ulster-scots_version_(pdf_837kb)-2.pdf North-South Ministerial Council: 2002 Annual Report in Ulster Scots] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829113640/http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/nsmc_annual_report_2002_-_ulster-scots_version_%28pdf_837kb%29-2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511195454/http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/nsmc_annual_report_2002_-_ulster-scots_version_(pdf_837kb)-2.pdf |archive-date=11 May 2008 |url-status=live |date=29 August 2011}}</ref><br />Bellykessel<ref>[http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/pubs/publications/BonamargyFriaryUS.pdf Bonamargy Friary guide – Department of the Environment]</ref> or Bellycaissle<ref>[http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/dunlucecastleus.pdf Guide to Dunluce Castle in Ulster-Scots] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903154513/http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/dunlucecastleus.pdf |date=3 September 2012}} DOE.</ref>
| local_name                   = 
| static_image_name            = Ballycastle Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 468327.jpg
| static_image_caption         = Ballycastle harbour
| map_type                     = Northern Ireland
| coordinates                  = {{coord|55.205|-6.258|display=inline,title}}
| belfast_distance             = {{convert|55|mi|0}}
| population                   = 5,628
| population_ref               = ([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]])
| irish_grid_reference         = D115407
| unitary_northern_ireland     = [[Causeway Coast and Glens District Council|Causeway Coast and Glens]]
| country                      = Northern Ireland
| historic_county              = 
| post_town                    = BALLYCASTLE
| postcode_area                = BT
| postcode_district            = BT54
| dial_code                    = 028
| constituency_westminster     = [[North Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|North Antrim]]
| constituency_ni_assembly     = [[North Antrim (Assembly constituency)|North Antrim]]
| lieutenancy_northern_ireland = [[County Antrim]]
| website                      = 
}}

'''Ballycastle''' ({{Irish derived place name|Baile an Chaistil|town of the castle}}{{audio|Uladh - Aontroim - Baile an Chaistil.wav|}})<ref name="logainm" /><ref>[http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=15521 Place Names NI]</ref> is a small seaside town in [[County Antrim]], [[Northern Ireland]]. It is on the north-easternmost coastal tip of Ireland, in the [[Antrim Coast and Glens]] [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]]. 

Ballycastle lies at roughly the midpoint of the Causeway Coastal Route and is a gateway to both the [[Glens of Antrim]] and the North Coast. With a number of attractions on the town's doorstep such as the [[Giant's Causeway]], [[Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge]] and the [[Dark Hedges]] it is a popular destination and stopping point for tourists.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://discovernorthernireland.com/destinations/causeway-coastal-route | title=Causeway Coast & Glens &#124; Causeway Coastal Route &#124; Discover NI }}</ref> The town also benefits from a sweeping bay and beach on its eastern side, with views to [[Fair Head]] and Knocklayde mountain dominating the landscape.

The town has been recognised on a number of occasions by [[The Sunday Times]] on their "Best Places To Live" list, and has been previously crowned the overall regional winner for Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ballycastle-is-northern-irelands-best-place-to-live-in-2022-proud-locals-are-in-full-agreement-as-co-antrim-town-edges-out-derry-and-helens-bay/41532370.html | title=Ballycastle is Northern Ireland's best place to live in 2022: Proud locals are in full agreement as Co Antrim town edges out Derry and Helen's Bay | newspaper=Belfasttelegraph.co.uk | date=8 April 2022 }}</ref> 

The harbour hosts the ferry to [[Rathlin Island]] and a smaller passenger and charter service to [[Campbeltown]] and [[Port Ellen]] in [[Scotland]], with both Rathlin Island and Scotland's [[Kintyre]] peninsula able to be seen from the coast. The [[Ould Lammas Fair]] is held each year in Ballycastle on the last Monday and Tuesday of August. Ballycastle is the home of the [[Corrymeela Community]].

Ballycastle had a population of 5,628 at the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]].<ref name="2021 pop"/> It was the seat and main settlement of the former [[Moyle District Council]].

== Demographics ==
{{bar box
|title = National Identity of Ballycastle residents (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000488 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000488 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000488 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>
|titlebar=#ddd |left1=Nationality |right1=Per cent |float=right
|bars =
{{bar percent|Irish|DarkOrchid|51.2}}
{{bar percent|Northern Irish|grey|30.1}}
{{bar percent|British|Blue|23.9}}
}}

===2021 census===
At the time of the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]] the population of Ballycastle was 5,628.<ref name="2021 pop">{{cite web |title=Settlement 2015 |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000488 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> Of these:

*75.5% were from a [[Catholic]] and 18.3% were from a [[Protestantism|Protestant]] or other Christian background.<ref>{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000488 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>

===2011 census===
At the time of the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 UK census]] the population of Ballycastle was 5,237.<ref name=Census2011>{{cite web |url=https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Ballycastle@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Ballycastle@23? |title=Census 2011 Population Statistics for Ballycastle Settlement |publisher=[[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA) |access-date=2 August 2019}}</ref> Of these:

*20.2% were aged under 16 years and 17.5% were aged 65 and over
*47.5% of the population were male and 52.5% were female
*77.1% were from a [[Catholic]] and 19.0% were from a [[Protestantism|Protestant]] or other Christian background
*7.1% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed

== 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" />

== Governance ==
The town is located within The Glens district electoral area (DEA) of the [[Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Local Government District Electoral Areas 2013 |url=http://www.deac-ni.org/index/current-review-of-district-electoral-areas/final_ni_overview__300dpi_a1_.pdf |website=Index map of Northern Ireland |access-date=17 October 2020 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929020745/http://www.deac-ni.org/index/current-review-of-district-electoral-areas/final_ni_overview__300dpi_a1_.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> In the [[2019 Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council election]], the residents of this DEA elected 2 [[Sinn Fein]], 1 [[SDLP]], 1 [[Ulster Unionist Party|UUP]] and 1 Independent representatives to the council.

== Places of interest ==
[[File:Ballycastle Northern Ireland.jpg|thumb|View from the Rathlin boat]]
The [[Ould Lammas Fair]], historically a lamb sale, has now become a street get together with market stalls, busking and street performers, attracting upwards of sixty thousand people each year. The fair is normally held Bank holiday Monday and Tuesday at end of August based on the fact that fairs were always held on last Tuesday of the month. (When the bank holiday is the last day of August the fair occurs a week earlier.)
* [[Fair Head]] is a [[headland]] near Ballycastle that rises {{convert|196|m|ft|0}} out of the bay. There is a man-made [[Iron Age]] [[crannóg]] in the middle of a large lake at the top.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fair Head |url=http://www.thegemsofantrim.com/fairhead.html |publisher=The Gems of Antrim |access-date=31 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109142737/http://www.thegemsofantrim.com/fairhead.html |archive-date=9 January 2015}}</ref>
* Knocklayde, a heather-covered mountain with a height of {{convert|1685|ft}}, is crowned by ''Carn na Truagh'' (the Cairn of Sorrow), and has views over Ballycastle, Rathlin Island, Fair Head, and Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Knocklayde Mountain |url=http://www.ballycastle.info/places/knocklayde/knocklayde.htm |publisher=Ballycastle Information |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>
* [[Glentaisie]], the most northerly of the nine [[Glens of Antrim]] ('the Glynns'), lies at the foot of Knocklayde mountain. It is named after the Princess Taisie, the daughter of King Dorm of Rathlin Island. According to legend, Taisie, renowned for her great beauty, was betrothed 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 had begun. The king and his army tried to capture Taisie, but in the subsequent battle he was killed, and his army fled leaderless and empty-handed.
* The Carey, Glenshesk and Tow Rivers flow down from the Glens into the Margy River. It then flows into the Moyle Sea at the start of the Strand.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ballycastle |url=http://www.ireland.com/en-us/destinations/northern-ireland/county-antrim/ballycastle/all/2-2420/ |access-date=31 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050507/http://www.ireland.com/en-us/destinations/northern-ireland/county-antrim/ballycastle/all/2-2420/ |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=May 2021}}
* The Strand's Ballycastle Beach is designated a [[Blue Flag beach]].
* Pans Rocks, which are the remains of an iron salt pan lying at the far end of Ballycastle Beach, jut out into the sea and are a popular spot for fishing.
[[File:Marconi memorial Ballycastle County Antrim.jpg|thumb|right|The Marconi memorial]]
* The Devils Churn, lying just beyond Pans Rocks, has steps carved into the stone leading to an underwater tunnel.
* Clare Park on Clare Road, was an estate owned by the then-local landed gentry, the McGildownys. The 17th-century house has been pulled down but it was set in a site high up on the Antrim coast.
* The [[Corrymeela Community]] (a Christian organisation promoting peace and reconciliation, founded in 1965) is based at [[Corrymeela]], just outside Ballycastle.
*  Overlooking the harbour, there is a monument to [[Guglielmo Marconi|Guglielmo, 1st ''Marchese'' Marconi]], whose employees made the world's first commercial wireless telegraph transmission between Ballycastle and the East Lighthouse on [[Rathlin Island]]. Marconi was created a ''[[Marquess|Marchese]]'' by [[Victor Emmanuel III|King Vittorio Emanuele III of Italy]] in 1929.
* Close to the beach, there is a sculpture of the [[Children of Lir]]. According to the legend, the children were cursed to spend 300 years on the [[Sea of Moyle]], upon which Ballycastle is a coastal town.

== Buildings of note ==
[[File:Ballycastle Church of the Holy Trinity 2014 09 13.jpg|thumb|Church of the Holy Trinity]]
* '''St Patrick's and St Brigid's Church''' is a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] church located on Moyle Road. Known locally as 'the Chapel', it was initially designed by Fr. Jeremiah McAuley who also designed [[St. Peter's Cathedral, Belfast|St. Peter's Cathedral]] in [[Belfast]]. It was erected in 1870.  An octagonal spire was added in 1898 and there were further alterations in 1993. The spire was used as a mast by [[Marconi]] to send the first radio broadcast to [[Rathlin Island]] in 1898.<ref>{{cite web |title=St Patrick's and St Brigid's Church |url=https://www.ballycastleparish.com/churches/ballycastle/7-st-patricks--st-brigids-church |website=Ballycastle Parish |access-date=17 October 2020}}</ref>
* '''Holy Trinity Parish Church''' is a [[Church of Ireland]] church in The Diamond, Ballycastle's main square. Like the rest of The Diamond, the church is Grade 'A' listed. Built by [[Colonel (United Kingdom)|Colonel]] Hugh Boyd, who bore the total cost, the church was completed in 1756 and is popularly known as '''Boyd's Church'''. It was built in Graeco-Italian style with an apse-shaped chancel, and an octagonal spire about {{convert|100|ft}} high. It was effectively a chapel for the Boyd family and its 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. The 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 [[Earl of Antrim|Earls of Antrim]].
*[[Dunaneeny Castle]] is a ruined castle located on the cliffs overlooking Ballycastle Bay. Built by [[Alexander Carragh MacDonnell, 5th of Dunnyveg|Alexander MacDonnell]], the castle was also the birthplace of [[Sorley Boy MacDonnell]].
* [[Kinbane Castle]] is on a headland projecting into the sea, about 3&nbsp;miles (5&nbsp;km) from Ballycastle on the road to [[Ballintoy]]. Originally a two-storey building, it was built in 1547 by Colla MacDonnell, who died within its walls in 1558.
* The Ballycastle [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland|Presbyterian Church]] located in Castle Street has a distinctive round tower.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.presbyterianireland.org/congregations/ballycastle.html |title=Ballycastle Presbyterian Church |access-date=13 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120191944/http://www.presbyterianireland.org/congregations/ballycastle.html |archive-date=20 January 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Transport ==
[[File:Rathlin Island ferry at Ballycastle.jpg|thumb|Rathlin Island Ferry, Ballycastle Harbour]]

Bus services in Ballycastle are operated by [[Translink (Northern Ireland)|Translink]].

A ferry runs between the town and [[Rathlin Island]] as part of a lifeline service. Since 2008 this ferry has been operated by the Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd<ref>{{cite web |title=About – Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd. |url=https://rathlinballycastleferry.com/about/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530142013/https://rathlinballycastleferry.com/about/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=30 May 2018 |website=RathlinBallycastleFerry.com |access-date=14 December 2022}}</ref> but previously it had been operated by [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] beginning in 1996.<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Ross |title=Tendering left an incoherent legacy for Highland and Island ferries that still requires explanation |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/transport/3393589/calmac-ferries-highlands-islands-tendering-legacy-david-ross-opinion/ |access-date=14 December 2022 |work=[[The Press and Journal (Scotland)|The Press and Journal]] |date=16 August 2021}}</ref>

A passenger ferry service to [[Campbeltown]] on Scotland's [[Kintyre]] peninsula, and [[Port Ellen]] on [[Islay]], operated by [[Kintyre Express]], runs seven days during summer months and only on Mondays and Fridays during winter months.<ref name="kintyreexpress">{{cite web |url=https://kintyreexpress.com/ |title=Kintyre Express – ferry services and private charters |publisher=kintyreexpress.com |access-date=3 May 2014}}</ref> Sea Containers Ltd previously ran a ferry from Ballycastle to Campbeltown from 1997 to June 2002.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Highland Line: ferry good news for Campbeltown |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13100911.highland-line-ferry-good-news-campbeltown/ |access-date=14 December 2022 |work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |date=19 April 2013}}</ref>

[[Ballycastle railway station]] opened on 18 October 1880 on the [[Ballycastle Railway]], a [[narrow-gauge railway]] which ran for {{convert|17|mi}}. The railway ran from Ballycastle to [[Ballymoney railway station|Ballymoney station]], a station on the [[Belfast and Northern Counties Railway]] (BNCR), later [[Northern Counties Committee]] (NCC) and now part of [[Northern Ireland Railways]].

== The Troubles in Ballycastle ==
[[File:Antrim Coast near Ballycastle.JPG|thumb|Waves in Ballycastle; Scotland can be seen in the background]]
There were several incidents of what came to be known as [[the Troubles]] in [[Northern Ireland]], including:
* Loyalist paramilitaries left a [[car bomb]] outside the Roman Catholic church (St. Patrick's & St. Brigid's) in the town on 26 August 1973.  It was timed to explode as massgoers left the church. But the service ran late, and the bomb detonated when the congregation were still inside the church, avoiding large-scale loss of life. 50 people were injured, 3 of them seriously.<ref name="chicagotribune">{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1973/08/27/page/3/article/catholic-church-hit |title=50 hurt in bomb blast in Ulster |author=Patrick Carville |date=27 August 1973 |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref>
* On 19 June 1979 the [[Irish Republican Army]] bombed five hotels in different seaside towns in Northern Ireland, including Ballycastle's Marine Hotel. William Whitten, a 65-year-old Protestant hotel guest, was seriously injured in the blast; he died three weeks later.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/alpha/W.html |title=CAIN: Sutton Index of Deaths}}</ref><ref name="wastedyears">{{cite book |title=Wasted Years, Wasted Lives |author=Ken Wharton |volume=2 |page=210 |publisher=Helion & Company |isbn=978-1-909982-17-8 |date=August 2014}}</ref>
* Spence McGarry (46), an off-duty member of the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] (RUC), was killed when a [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] booby trap bomb attached to his car exploded in Castle Street car park, Ballycastle on 6 April 1991.<ref name="ballymoneytimes">{{cite news |newspaper=[[Ballymoney Times]] |url=http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/news/local-news/unheard-voices-six-stories-from-the-troubles-1-1830118 |title='Unheard Voices' – six stories from the Troubles |date=6 May 2009}}</ref> Gerard Butler was convicted in 1993 for the attack, and sentenced to 22 years in prison.<ref name="telegraph_list">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1350551/Republicans.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |title=Republicans |date=27 July 2000}}</ref>
* In 2001, there was an attempt at mass murder by the [[Red Hand Defenders]] when a car bomb was left in Castle Street during the annual Lammas Fair.<ref name="bbc_lammas">{{cite news |publisher=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/1520556.stm |title=UVF members linked to bomb |date=1 September 2001}}</ref>

== Parade disputes ==
In the past, there has been unrest during [[Orange Institution|Orange Order]] parades in the town. In 2001, there was serious public disorder at 12 July parade. As a result of this, the Silver Plains flute band, from nearby Moyarget, was banned from marching in the town due to allegations of sectarian conduct and paramilitary trappings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Foiled loyalist bombers force calls to exclude PUP |date=2001-09-01 |website=[[The Guardian]]|location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410020222/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/sep/02/uk.northernireland |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/sep/02/uk.northernireland}}</ref>

== Climate ==
As with the rest of Northern Ireland, Ballycastle experiences a [[maritime climate]] with cool summers and mild winters. The nearest official [[Met Office]] [[weather station]] for which online records are available is at Ballypatrick Forest,<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=[[MetOffice]] |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/networks/images/map3.gif |title=Station Locations}}</ref> about {{convert|4|mi}} east-southeast of Ballypatrick.

{{Ballypatrick weatherbox}}

== Sport ==
Sports of local interest include tennis, bowling (Mary Street), hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, (Whitehall/Leyland Road), soccer, golf, quidditch and skateboarding.{{Citation needed|date=February 2014}}There is additionally a local pool league between the various pubs in the town.

=== Golf ===
Ballycastle Golf Club offers an 18-hole championship course open year-round to both members and non-members.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bally Castle Golf Club |url=http://www.ballycastlegolfclub.com/ |website=ballycastlegolfclub.com/ |access-date=10 February 2015}}</ref> The course is one of the four courses played each June in the world-renowned Causeway Coast Golf Tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Causeway Coast |url=http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Causeway-Coast-Amateur-Golf-Tournament-2015-Macosquin-Coleraine-P45290 |access-date=9 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101718/http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Causeway-Coast-Amateur-Golf-Tournament-2015-Macosquin-Coleraine-P45290 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Tennis ===
During the Summer, the town hosts two tennis tournaments, one of which is run by the Moyle District Council.<ref>[http://www.moyle-council.org/services/details/?id=80 Moyle Council]</ref>

=== Association Football ===
[[Ballycastle United F.C.|Ballycastle United Football Club]] combined with Moyle FC in 2011, and the team now competes in the Coleraine and District morning league.<ref>|{{cite web |title=Ballycastle UFC |url=http://www.leaguewebsite.co.uk/coleraineanddistrictleague/TeamDirectories?div=14934&team=87737 |access-date=9 March 2015}}</ref>

=== Bowls ===
Ballycastle Bowling Club has a scenic outdoors setting that is a feature of the town's sea-front.

== Notable people ==
{{See also|Category:People from Ballycastle, County Antrim}}
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}

=== 1500s ===
* [[Sorley Boy MacDonnell]] (c.1505–1590) – Scottish-Irish prince, born at [[Dunanynie Castle]] near Ballycastle
* [[Gillaspick MacDonnell]] (c.1550–1571) – nephew of Sorley Boy MacDonnell, killed accidentally in 1571 at Ballycastle.

=== 1600s ===
* [[Christopher Fleming, 17th Baron Slane|The 1st Viscount Longford and 17th Baron Slane]] (1669–1726) – politician. Lord Longford, known for much of his life as Lord Slane, is buried in the MacDonnell family vault in [[Bonamargy Friary]], Ballycastle, the burial place of the [[Earl of Antrim|Earls of Antrim]].

=== 1700s ===
* [[Hugh Boyd (writer)|Hugh Boyd]] (1746–1794) – writer
* [[John Surman Carden]] (1771–1858) – officer of the British [[Royal Navy]], died in Ballycastle
* [[Hugh M'Neile]] (1795–1879) – controversial anti-Roman Catholic preacher

=== 1800s ===
[[File:Sir Roger Casement (6188264610).jpg|thumb|[[Sir Roger Casement]] ]]
* [[John Samuel Bewley Monsell]] (1811–1875) – clergyman and hymnwriter
* [[Thomas Witherow]] (1824–1890) – Presbyterian minister and historian.
* [[Sir Roger Casement]] (1864–1916) – writer and [[Irish Republican]] revolutionary who was born and raised in [[Dublin]] to a father from Ballycastle.
* [[Louise McIlroy|Dame Louise McIlroy]] (1874–1968) – medical doctor, born near [[Ballymena]], father was a [[general practitioner]] in Ballycastle
* [[Robert Quigg]] 1885–1955) – soldier and recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]]

=== 1900s ===
* [[Helen Megaw]] (1907–2002) – crystallographer
* [[Donal Lamont]] (1911–2003) – Bishop of [[Mutare]], [[Zimbabwe]], nominated for the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] in 1978
* [[Michael Dallat]] (1925–2000) – [[Titular Bishop]] of Thala, Tunisia and [[Auxiliary Bishop]] of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor|Diocese of Down and Connor]]
* [[Keith Cardinal O'Brien]] (1938–2018) – he served as [[Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh]], 1985–2013. [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] O'Brien was effectively the head of the Catholic Church in [[Scotland]]<ref name=pgot3mar>{{cite news |author=Robert Pigott |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21649475 |title=Cardinal Keith O'Brien sorry for sexual misconduct |publisher=BBC |date=3 March 2013 |access-date=3 March 2013}}</ref> from the death of [[Thomas Cardinal Winning]], [[Archbishop of Glasgow]], in June 2001 until his own resignation as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh in February 2013. He was created a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] in October 2003.
* [[David McWilliams (musician)|David McWilliams]] (1945–2002) – folksinger and musician
* [[Conleth Hill]] (b. 1964) – actor

== See also ==
* [[Market houses in Northern Ireland]]
* [[List of localities in Northern Ireland by population]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Ballycastle, County Antrim}}
{{Wikivoyage|Ballycastle}}
{{EB1911 poster|Ballycastle}}

{{County Antrim}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Ballycastle, County Antrim| ]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Seaside resorts in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Towns in County Antrim]]
[[Category:Beaches of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Northern Ireland]]