27 Jan Ballycastle
On any Ireland tours we strongly recommend that you see the North Coast in all its glory. On the coast road is the lively market town of Ballycastle.
The town sits at the mouth of the two northernmost Antrim glens , Glenshesk and Glentaisie.
There is a beautiful marina and some great local pubs. There are also some nice shops.
Ballycastle is where the ferry to Rathlin island leaves from…..weather permitting ! There are also some “water taxis” available.
In June Ballycastle holds the Ould Lammas Fair , which is Irelands oldest fair , dating from 1606.
The stallholders do a roaring trade in Dulse (a tasty edible seaweed) and Yellowman (a bright coloured hard toffee).
There is a memorial to Guglielmo Marconi to commemorate the inventor of the wireless. He made his first transmission between Ballycastle and Rathlin in 1898.
Nearby , in the middle of a very good golf course , is Bonamargy Friary , founded around 1500…..the whole thing is very interesting , and a real hidden gem.
Try our extended Belfast tours and visit Ballycastle. Or on any of our tours of Ireland build in a trip along the Causeway coast.