Ballycastle Attractions
From the Giant's Causeway the coast road continues by way of Ballintoy (13mi/21km) and Cushendun, in the middle of attractive heathland, to Ballycastle (pop. 3,000), a picturesque little harbor town surrounded by wooded country. From here a boat can be taken to the island of Rathlin, 6.5mi/10km offshore, which was once a Viking stronghold.
Ballycastle Museum
The Ballycastle Museum presents the town's social and folk history in an 18th C. courthouse. Displays include the Glen Taisie banner and a Cromwellian soldier's helmet.
Hours
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Bonamargy Friary
Half a mile east of Ballycastle is the Bonamargy Friary. Here visitors can see the remains of a Franciscan Friary founded in 1500 by Rory MacQuillan.
Carrick-a-rede Island (Rope Bridge)
For those not scared of heights there is a rope bridge spanning a 60ft-wide chasm between Carrick-a-rede island and the mainland. A salmon fishery is accessible from spring to mid-September.
Carrick-a-rede Island / Rope Bridge and Larrybane Visitors Center
Carrick-a-rede
Northern Ireland
Carrick-a-rede
Northern Ireland
Hours
January 1 to February 27
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 |
| Close | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 |
February 28 to May 26
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
May 27 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
September 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
November 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 |
| Close | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 |
Always closed on:
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Hours and admission apply to rope bridge. Last entry to rope bridge 45 minutes before closing.
Note: maximum of eight people on bridge at once. Suitable clothing and footwear recommended.
Parking
Pay
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Fleadh Amhran agus Rince Festival
This annual weekend festival takes place in late June, focusing on traditional Irish song and dance. Concerts and high-stepping performances are held throughout the weekend by performers who travel from throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Ballycastle Tourist Office
Sheskburn House
7 Mary Street
Ballycastle BT54 6QH
Northern Ireland
Sheskburn House
7 Mary Street
Ballycastle BT54 6QH
Northern Ireland
Old Lammas Fair
The Old Lammas Fair at Ballycastle is held on the last Monday and Tuesday every August and is one of Ireland's oldest fairs. "Dulse" (dried seaweed) and "Yellow Man" (local confectionery) are available to sample.
Ballycastle Tourist Office
Sheskburn House
7 Mary Street
Ballycastle BT54 6QH
Northern Ireland
Sheskburn House
7 Mary Street
Ballycastle BT54 6QH
Northern Ireland
Watertop Farm
Watertop Open Farm offers tours, sheep-shearing (July-August), game birds, a museum, pony trekking, barbecues, boating, fishing and camping.
Hours
April 23 to April 25
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
April 30 to May 2
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
June 25 to September 3
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
