Attractions

BALLYCASTLE

Ballycastle is located on the rugged and rural West Coast of Ireland. Its name means “Town of the Castle,” though the castle is nothing more than a ruin today. There are only about 450 residents of the area within a five-mile radius of the town itself. The former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, described the Ballycastle area as “the periphery of the periphery.”

Local Activities

Golf
Stella Maris is equidistant from two of the finest links golf courses in Ireland—Enniscrone and Carne/Belmullet, both of which are about 40 minutes driving time. Rosses Point, another world-class links course in neighboring Sligo, is less than 1 1/2 hours away. All three offer a true golf challenge, as well as some of the most beautiful ocean vistas in the world. Other nearby golf courses are Ballina and Westport. Nick Faldo’s exciting new project, Bartra Island, is only 15 minutes away. This 365-acre island, when completed, will provide golfers with one of the world’s most scenic courses. In the summer, the days are very long. Since there is still light up to 11:00 p.m., it is not unusual to find golfers playing 18 after an early dinner.

Fishing

Fishing the Atlantic, by boat or off a pier or cliff, can bring a variety of fish to the table. Mackerel, mullet, pollock and haddock are just some of the sea’s offering. For fresh-water enthusiasts, the River Moy is considered the greatest salmon grounds in the world. The Moy Weir is located in Ballina, a short ride from Ballycastle. Permits for fishing the rivers and lakes in Ireland can be purchased nearby.

Birds

There are many species of birds that breed and nest in the area, including several varieties of gulls, puffins, cormorants, herons, kittiwakes and peregrine falcons. Stormy weather brings species such as the great northern diver, razorbill and storm petral to the area to rest.

Cycling
Cycling is another favorite pastime of visitors to Ireland. The terrain offers all types of riding for the serious enthusiast. While the roads are narrow, the drivers are very careful and cede the right of way to cyclists. There are many scenic spots to stop and gaze at the simple beauty that the West Coast of Ireland has to offer.

Walking

Nature walks are a pastime of natives and visitors alike. The beauty that abounds in the Ballycastle area is unlike that found anywhere else. Colorful flowers peek out from the native gorse; the ocean is always nearby; bog land (where turf thousands of years old is harvested) and the rolling fields are separated by the rock walls that are native to Ireland. Small pools of seawater etched into rock formations are found all along the coast, providing life to tiny ocean creatures. Downpatrick Head is one of the favorite spots to take a walk along the ocean near Ballycastle. The Head, which stands about 300 feet tall, is actually cut off from the mainland, separated by about 100 yards of the Atlantic. It is said that Downpatrick Head is where St. Patrick cut off the head of a snake with a giant sword, thus dividing the Head from the mainland and driving all snakes from Ireland.

Archaeology

Ceide Fields offers a great deal to the history buff, including a look into Irish civilization more than 5,000 years ago. The Ceide Fields Interpretive Center was built by the Irish government after archeological digs discovered stone walls believed to delineate the first farms in Ireland thousands of years ago. Visitors flock to Ceide Fields each year to gain an insight into the roots of European civilization. The 650-foot cliffs at Ceide Fields rival any other in Ireland.

Swimming
Swimming in the Atlantic can be treacherous, but Bunatrahir Bay offers protection from the rough surf. Ballycastle Beach is clean, roomy and quite sandy. It is not unusual to find locals out searching for succulent mussels when the tide is out along Ballycastle Beach, which is across the bay from Stella Maris.

SCUBA

SCUBA diving in Bunatrahir Bay is considered among the finest in Europe. The water is extremely clear, and the bay provides a defense against the open seas. The Gulf Stream, which crosses the North Atlantic and comes down along the West Coast of Ireland, brings unexpected warmth to the ocean. Thousands of years of history will envelop you in the crystalline waters off Ballycastle.

Art
Artists from all parts of the globe have found a treasure trove of subjects in and around the Ballycastle area. The vivid colors of the plant life, the stark beauty of the ocean, the serenity of the glens and mountains, and the ever-changing skies form a natural canvas upon which professional artists from around the world capture the beauty of Ireland. Ballycastle is home to the not-for-profit Ballinglen Arts Centre, which provides a studio workshop and gallery for an eclectic gathering of artists who flock to this Mecca of natural backdrops for their works. Some of their works are on exhibit in Ballycastle shops, providing a gallery of talent that can be seen throughout the town.

Pub Crawls

Though there are only 450 or so residents of the area, Ballycastle offers a divergence of colorful pubs. There are actually several licensed premises on the one main street of the town, which gives you a sense of how important pubs are to the Irish culture. Healy’s, the Seaview Lounge, Lavelle’s, Katie Mac’s and the third generation Polke’s are some of the wonderful pubs where you can soak up the natural flavor of the community—as well as some of Ireland’s rich and creamy brews. A pub crawl in Ballycastle is indeed a memorable evening of fun.