Ballycastle is a townin Northern Ireland, located in CountyAntrim, near to the northernmost tip of the country. Its proximity tothe coast, and the fact that it is located on an Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty near the Antrim Coast and Glens, has led to it being an extremelypopular destination for tourists.
From the shoreline at Ballycastleit is possible to see both the Mull of Kintyre and RathlinIsland, which are just 6 miles across the water. The ferry across to Rathlin Islandruns regularly throughout the day, offering an experience you’ll want to takeadvantage of. Rathlin Island is just six miles long by one mile wide. It ishome to no more than 70 people and offers visitors a genuine sense of peace andtranquillity. As well as the rugged landscape and unspoiled environment, the islandhas its own colony of wild seals and is home to an RSPB Seabird Centre. Onceyou’ve experienced the glories of nature you could pay a visit to the localpub, pick up some food in the restaurant or enjoy some award-winning fish andchips from a spot with stunning sea views.
The Beachin Ballycastle
Back on the mainland itself, Ballycastleis famed for three quarters of a mile of unspoiled beach – a mix of golden sandand a small amount of shingle, it runs from Ballycastle Marinaat one end to Pans Rock at the other, and is just5 minutes walk away from the town centre. With the unspoiled greenery of BallycastleGolf Course running behind it for most of its length, and thewaters of the Atlantic rolling and crashing up onto the sands, it’s the perfectspot for a romantic walk or a day of family beach fun.
Sea-Based Activityin Ballycastle
The presence of Ballycastle Marina,located just next to the Rathlin Island ferry port, brings together a widerange of activities taking advantage of the easy access to the sea. It’s up toyou whether you opt to try your hand at diving, experience the exhilaration ofa high speed ‘sea safari’ or enjoy the more tranquil pleasures of a leisurelyfishing trip.
Walking AroundBallycastle
From the traditional seaside appeal of the towncentre itself, to the stunning scenery which is literally right on thedoorstep, staying in Ballycastle means you canwalk in any direction and soon find yourself in the midst of some of the finestlandscapes the island has to offer. A long walk for ambitious, seasoned walkersis the Moyle Way, which starts in the centre of Ballycastleand takes in the Five Glens of Antrim, the BreenOakwood Nature Reserve and GlenariffForest Park. The whole 26 miles may be too much for the casual walkeror family group, but any individual section of the walk offers access to richwoodland, spectacular moorland scenery and the shores of rivers andloughs.
BookingYour Ballycastle Trip
Ballycastle certainlyticks the boxes: natural beauty, coastal landscapes, some of Ireland’s bestwalking routes, high adrenaline action activities and the traditional warmth ofIrish hospitality. What more could you ask for?
