Ballycastle

Ballycastle 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. Wikipedia.
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Top attractions in Ballycastle

Ballycastle Beach
1. Ballycastle Beach
4.8
(120)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
1.2-km.-long sand-&-shingle shoreline attracting surfers, swimmers & beachcombers.
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There's a beautiful view from any direction on this beach, lots to see and do for children and adults! We had a quick visit on a busy schedule but would highly recommend spending longer if possible. We visited on a bright and chilly spring day but could imagine it would be a fantastic experience walking down those stone steps and taking a dip under the rocks on a warm summers day.
Beautiful Irish beach in the Northern Ireland. If you are driving by the coast, please stop here. It has a lot of nice restaurants.
Wow - such a great place to spend some time. There are green areas by the beach, as well as the beach itself. The beach is sandy to begin with, then gets more pebble and rocky as you walk along. You can drive to the far end of the beach where there are lots of benches to sit and enjoy the view. At the far end there is a bridge over to a rocky outcrop with beautiful clear waters - the sea at the far end is crystal clear. There are no cafes at the far end of the beach, but plenty of places in Ballycastle.
Great spot. Got a great day with the weather which made it really enjoyable
Lovely beach and friendly locals. Great for walking the dog. Fishing is a tad poor. Small flatties. Short walk into the town itself along the golf coarse path. Bumpy and not suitable for disabled but nice walk.
Had a lovely time. Calm, serene, picture perfect.... Ballycastle is the place to stay when you visit northern Ireland to view the causeway route. Plenty of places to stay, stunning views, clean, not too crowded...
Nice beach, waves good enough dor surfing. If only the water is not cold.. Hope there's toilet facilities.. Fine sand.. Hioe to be back soon to explore surrounding areas.
Just moved to Ballycastle ,been to the Beach every day ,Waw ,one of the best beaches I have ever been to,every day is different the waves are the best ,I love them ,with views to Rathlin Island + the Mull of Kintyre (Scotland) Ballycastle Beach, Fabulous.
Kinbane Castle
2. Kinbane Castle
4.8
(1258)
Castle
Sights & Landmarks
Ruins of an ancient castle with a steep ascent offering fort views & status as a Historic Monument.
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Gorgeous views of the coast on this hike down to the castle! So pleased to have made this stop. Sun came out while we were there to make it even more spectacular. The hike is brief with staircases the whole way to the castle but rigorous on the way back up if you're not up for climbing. From the castle there is a trail to follow to the tip with just a few sketchy spots to watch your footing.
Perhaps my favorite coastal castle ruins. Never too busy. Not too bad of a hike, and well worth the effort for the views from every angle. Just make sure to have some good footwear for traction if you plan to go out to the point of the cliff. The path is narrow and can often be slippery.
For me one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. Beautiful coast, not too many people. There are however 140 steps to conquer so the way back is not easy but definitely worth it.
Unplanned visit today. What an amazing coastline. This is well worth the walk. Such a peaceful place. Was fortunate to go late afternoon when there was only another couple there. You could have been alone. Cannot wait to explore this magnificent coastline further over the coming days.
This was one of my favorite stops of the day. Parking is free with a toilet next to the lot, followed by the path down to the castle. The path is basically downhill the entire way to the castle, just remember the hike back up is quite tough! The views are gorgeous the entire walk, and the path even goes out to the castle ruins and an amazing overlook behind it. I highly recommend the stop for the castle and views!
YES! Finally a place with no crowds. Perfect hike down, got to watch dolphins play in the surf, quiet and wonderful to explore. Wear proper footwear, this is not the place to wear sandals or thin shoes.
Very worth the effort. It is about a 350 foot decent down steps in about half a mile. So not one for non hikers or the out of shape.
Amazing place! Worth to see it! Walk right down do the beach you will do your daily steeps but it well with it!
Fair Head
3. Fair Head
4.9
(139)
Mountain peak
Nature & Parks
Steep, 640 ft.-tall rocky headland & noted climbing destination also offering panoramic walks.
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Amazing place. The views from all along the longer hike are incredibible. Breathtaking drop offs all along. The wind trying to pluck You from the face of the earth and hurl You out to sea. And all You need to pay is 3£ to park in the farmyard parking lot. Amazing. Dont forget to read the flip up boards on the trail markers. They tell story's.
Good walk from farmyard where farmer asks for £3 donation to use it. Nice lochs one with a crannog. Spectacular cliffs and views...don't get too close!
Unbelievably beautiful corner of the world. Stunning cliff top walk. Beautiful crannog in on of the lakes. Honesty box for carpark.
Car park on the farmland has a £3 honesty box. Stunning views, especially at sunset - don’t miss this!
An absolutely stunning walk along the coast, probably in my top 3 that I've done in Ireland. The signposts are well-placed, but it still has the exciting feel of a hidden gem. Views are breathtaking from beginning to end!
Amazing views and hike. The coastal views go on forever, giving you both rocky and farmland. On one of the particular rock faces, we spotted climbers, who were fun to watch for a bit since climbing is not something I do. You can plan your hike accordingly whether you want a short stroll or to go on for miles; the terrain is decent. We were limited on time so only hiked around for about an hour or so before heading back.
An upland paradise with good parking. It’s an honesty box and it’s suggested £3 per car. Trust me this is worth it and it helps the farmer maintain the lands. A job they have done brilliantly.
Great views and a nice but exposed set of walks. Car park is in farmers yard,honesty box for payment of £3
Rathlin Island Ferry
4. Rathlin Island Ferry
4.7
(639)
Ferry service
Transportation
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Want to go to an incredible island ? Take your booking online on one of the two boats that are going to the island for less than 8 pounds. You wont regret doung this. Just be carrefull cause one of the two boats dont accepte luguage.
Two ferries are available, and the smaller one will only allow simpe rucsacs. Journey can be bumpy due to size of boat. Can be cancelled in poor weather. The larger boat has more room and cases can be taken on board. It has an open seated upper deck and an enclosed lower deck both with comfortable seating. Cars can be carried on board but only if owner has a pass. Journey times 30 and 40 minutes. Staff helpful. Smart card holders travel free. It is advised to book especially in summer. We had trouble with the online booking service as it would not allow us to enter our phone number so we had to make bookings by phone call. The phone booking staff are quick, courteous, and very helpful and sorted booking changes for us without a problem. They also rang us to inform us that the boat first booked had to be withdrawn for a repair and let us change to the other boat at suitable time.
Wonderful first visit & was pleasantly surprised. Met some very nice people & especially Mary who gave us a rundown of Rathlin & gave us a lovely cup of coffee. Will most certainly return before the end is summer.
Rigid and inflexible booking system. We were a family group of 7 getting tickets from the ticket office just after 12.45. The last two of were told at 12.52 that we were too late to get a ticket for the 1pm ferry even though we were in the queue and there was still ample time to catch the ferry. Jaw dropping! We had travelled 2 hours to get there.
Good way of travelling to Rathlin Island. You can either experience the express ferry (25 min) or normal ferry (40 min) depending on times. Staff were friendly and prices were reasonable. Parking is free on the Ballycastle side, making it easier as a foot passenger.
Both car ferry & passenger ferry were fine although the cf was only 25mins- good if like us just having a quick visit. The island would be great for an overnight in the hotel or do plan at least 4 hrs. The puffin is on our list for next visit and do call to the visitor centre.
Very well run ferry service, I'd advise booking online ahead of time. NB - You cannot book online less than 24 hours before departure.
Make sure you get a return ferry ticket!!!! We nearly got stranded for the night very stressful. Boat crew were really helpful. Brilliant trip. Puffins galore. Shame the bus only gives you an hour at the Rspb West light Seabird Centre just half hour extra would be good and 4.5 miles just a tad too long for me to walk
Bonamargy Friary (State Care Monument)
5. Bonamargy Friary (State Care Monument)
4.6
(217)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
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Fascinating historical site. Well worth a visit. The car parking area is very small so if it is full you may need to make the short walk carefully from the town.
Bonamargy Friary is a tranquil oasis nestled in the heart of the Antrim countryside. The ruins of this Franciscan friary, founded in 1485, offer a fascinating glimpse into Northern Ireland's rich history. While the friary itself is largely in ruins, its setting is truly enchanting. Surrounded by lush greenery and the gentle murmur of the River Bush, it is a perfect spot for a peaceful stroll. There is a distinct sense of calm and serenity here that makes it easy to imagine life in this secluded religious community centuries ago. There are no visitor facilities on-site, but the friary is easily accessible and free to visit. It is a wonderful place to combine with a walk along the nearby River Bush or a visit to the nearby town of Ballycastle. While Bonamargy Friary may not be as grand or as well-preserved as some other historical sites, its charm lies in its simplicity and its peaceful atmosphere. It is a hidden gem for those who appreciate history and nature. So, Pack a picnic and spend some time exploring the surrounding area. It is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
This is a little treasure just off the main road .. take care to look out for the sign to the friary... it only shows right where the car park is . And yes, the car park is tiny, fit for 3 cars only so best to reverse into your space if you can to make exiting easier. It's a free site to visit and surprisingly good too. There's lots to see and some really old grave stones there too. It's not eerie at all, it's a wonderful set of ruins to walk around and in too. There's a gate to access the ruins or a set of stone up and over steps which are fun. The friary is in the middle of a beautiful golf course and is set in great country side surroundings. Definitely call by if you're on the Antrim coast road, it'll be a shame to miss it if you're so close to it.
If you're looking for a free place to pop into, this is a good little spot. It's not a large spot and can easily be seen in about 20 minutes. Some interesting lore if you go there...
Remains of a stone friary and graveyard surrounded by a golf course. The interior spaces are locked behind gates, but you are free to roam around the buildings. Best thing is that it is not well known and I was the only person there. Though there was a couple just finishing up when I arrived. Great spot for photos. Very small parking lot.
Lack of parking makes this an easy place to miss, which is a shame. Lovely old ruins set in well maintained grounds. Interesting story about the nun that died there and is now supposed to haunt the place.
It's definitely worth a visit if in the area. There's a tiny car park (around three spaces and little room to manoeuvre) just off the main road, otherwise it's a short walk from Ballycastle. Car park and the friary itself are free to visit. There are a couple of information boards but a visit is unlikely to take you more than 20-30 minutes.
We were just taking a quiet drive from the town of Ballycastle to explore and boy did we discover a jem. A small sign gave notice so we followed the arrow. The site was tucked off the road. We parked and walked thru an old portal path thru trees and came upon a twilight lit graveyard. To say it was "hollywood" creepy is an understatement. It is wonderful. The structures are of the Friary are magnificent and very well preserved. The history behind this property is classic medieval clansman. The site is free to visit.
Torr Head
6. Torr Head
4.7
(1087)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Rugged headland with dramatic cliff & ocean views, plus remains of Altagore cashel, an ancient fort.
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Beautiful scenic drive to get to this location, roads are quite tight so be careful if driving in a caravan etc. The walk is steep but quite short, the views are spectacular at the abandoned Coastguard station. Very interesting location with beautiful views, would definitely recommend 😊
Fantastic place, amazing view 😍 ( remember, weather is very important to good view)
Being from NI I’m disappointed that I’ve never taken the time to visit Torr Head. The road is narrow but thankfully it was quiet. Scotland was clearly visible on a beautiful summer’s day.
The Torr Head loop was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The drive goes through winding narrow roads through a patchwork of stone-walled fields.
Breathtaking views all around! Stunning coastal cliffs and turquoise water — a hidden gem along the Causeway Coast. Great spot for photos and a peaceful walk.
As with all ares of the Antrim AONB, it's simply beautiful..when parking, please be mindful that the hardworking farmers need to get in and out of their gates...respect the countryside that your visiting and those that make it beautiful.
The drive from cushendun is breathtaking and scenic. I've stop half way as there s a beautiful path on the right side leads to some house/farmhouse. Once reach Torr Head, it's easy to ascend up. Good ocean view from there.
Loved it here, saw the fuscia hedgerows and a school of dolphins swimming around the headland. Also, a great view of Scotland
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Other notable attractions

Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre
Tourist information center
Visitor center
Seafront Marina Ballycastle
Marina
Sights & Landmarks
The Puffin Gallery of Art, High Crafts & Jewellery
Artistic handicrafts
Museums
Torr Head
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Rugged headland with dramatic cliff & ocean views, plus remains of Altagore cashel, an ancient fort.
Larrybane Quarry
Parking lot
Sights & Landmarks
Ballycastle Library
Temporarily Closed
Public library
Library
Best-of categories in Ballycastle

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Weather in Ballycastle

Here's the historical average temperature in Ballycastle over a full year based on data compiled by NASA: for more details by month, see the weather in Ballycastle in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, or December
Monthly temperature highs and lows in Ballycastle
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