The history of Ballycastle. County Antrim. Ireland

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Ballycastle [from the Irish, Baile an Chaistil meaning "townland of the castle"] is a town in the County of Antrim. It is a small neat seaside town, with scenic views across to Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. The town is at the northern mainland limit of the Antrim Coast, and the Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Ballycastle is famous for its Lammas Fair, one of the oldest fairs in Ireland, which is held every year on the last monday and tuesday of August.
History about the foundations and development of Ballycastle.

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History buildings of Ballycastle and Ballycastle Harbour

* Holy Trinity, Church of Ireland, is situated in the Diamond, i.e., the main square. Like the rest of the Diamond, the church is grade 'A' listed. The church was completed in 1756, being built by Colonel Hugh Boyd, who bore the total cost. It was built in Graeco-Italian style with an apse-shaped chancel and an octagonal spire about 100 feet high. It was effectively a chapel for the Boyd family & 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. This 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 earls of Antrim. The Friary's most famous resident is the 17th century prophet and recluse Julia MacQuillan. Known as "The Black Nun", she wished to be buried at the entrance of the chapel so that she might be trodden under the feet of those who entered. This is true[citation needed] A round holed cross marks her grave.
* Kinbane Castle is situated on a headland projecting into the sea, about 3 miles (5 km) from Ballycastle on the road to Ballintoy. Originally a two story building, it was built in 1547 by Colla MacDonnell, who died within its walls in 1558.
* There are several churches in Ballycastle. Ballycastle's Presbyterian Church (in Castle Street) has a distinctive round tower.

People of Ballycastle. County Antrim. Ireland
* Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien, His Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh,Primate of Scotland; member of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and also a member of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, was born here 17 March 1938.
* Sir Roger Casement, 1864–1916, was an Irish patriot, poet, revolutionary and nationalist spent part of his youth in Magherintemple House, in Carey.
* Irish folk-singer and musician David McWilliams lived in Ballycastle for many years before his death in 2002.
* Overlooking the harbour there is a monument to Guglielmo Marconi whose employees made the world's first commercial wireless telegraph transmission between Ballycastle and the East Lighthouse on Rathlin Island.
* Bishop Michael Dallat, (1925–2000), the former Titular Bishop of Thala, former Auxiliary Bishop of The Diocese of Down and Connor and former Principle of St. Mary's University College, Belfast, was born and raised in Ballycastle.
* Bishop Donal Lamont, 1911–2003, Emeritus Bishop of Mutare, Zimbabwe was born in Ballycastle. He was a leading figure opposing the Rhodesian government. Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978.
* Author C. S. Lewis holidayed in Ballycastle for many years during the time of his writing the Chronicles of Narnia series.
* Current Antrim senior hurlers Cormac Donnelly, Ryan McGarry and Neal McAuley live in Ballycastle.
* Former allstars Dessie Donnelly, Brian Donnelly and Paul Mckillen live in Ballycastle.
* Hugh Boyd is seen as the founding father of Ballycastle. He substantially developed the town from 1730's onwards from a small seaside hamlet.
* Christine Scarlett,(now Nielsen) member of Ballycastle Golf Club, won the Irish Girls' Championship at Milltown Golf Club in 1964. She lived in Ballycastle for the first 22 years of her life, emigrating to the United States in 1968.

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The history of Ballycastle. County Antrim. Ireland

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