Ballycastle — The Gateway to Rathlin Island
Every trip to Rathlin Island begins in Ballycastle. This small, handsome town on the north Antrim coast is the departure point for the ferry crossing to Rathlin Island, and for most visitors it serves as little more than a staging post — somewhere to park the car, buy a coffee and wait for the boat. That is a shame, because Ballycastle deserves considerably more attention than it typically receives.
This is a town with genuine character, a remarkable location and enough to keep a visitor occupied for a full day or more before or after their Rathlin Island trip. Given that Ballycastle also sits at the edge of one of the most spectacular coastlines in Europe — the Causeway Coast — it makes an excellent base for exploring a much wider area.
Getting to Ballycastle
Ballycastle is located on the north Antrim coast, approximately 56 miles from Belfast via the A26 and A44. The drive from Belfast takes around an hour and fifteen minutes in normal traffic and is a straightforward journey for most of the route, becoming more scenic as you approach the coast.
From Dublin, Ballycastle is approximately 160 miles by road, taking around three hours. From Derry/Londonderry, the journey takes about an hour and fifteen minutes along the A2 coastal route — a drive that is spectacular in its own right.
There are bus services to Ballycastle from Belfast operated by Translink Ulsterbus, though the schedule is less frequent than driving, so travelling by car gives considerably more flexibility, particularly if you plan to explore the wider coastline.
The Ferry to Rathlin Island
The Rathlin Island ferry departs from Ballycastle Harbour, a short walk from the town centre. The harbour is well signed from the main roads into town, and parking is available nearby on a pay-and-display basis.
The crossing to Rathlin takes approximately 45 minutes, and the ferry runs several times daily during the visitor season, with a reduced schedule in winter. Booking in advance is strongly recommended, particularly in summer — the ferries fill up quickly, especially on fine weekends when demand from day visitors peaks.
The ferry itself is part of the Rathlin experience. The North Channel crossing offers views of the Antrim coast, the Scottish islands in the distance, and a parade of seabirds that begins before you have even left the harbour. Keep your eyes on the water — gannets, guillemots, and occasionally dolphins accompany the journey. For more detail on the crossing, see our complete guide to getting to Rathlin Island.
What to Do in Ballycastle
The Town and Harbour
Ballycastle town centre is compact and pleasant, built around a central diamond — the traditional layout of a planned Ulster town — with a good range of independent shops, cafés and restaurants. The harbour area is particularly attractive, with views across to Rathlin Island that on a clear day reveal the white cliffs of the island’s western shore.
Murlough Bay
A short drive east of Ballycastle, Murlough Bay is one of the most beautiful and least-visited corners of the Antrim coast. A narrow road winds down through woodland to a small bay hemmed in by steep hills, with views across the water to Scotland and the ruins of a church and a cluster of fishermen’s cottages at the water’s edge. It is a place of exceptional tranquillity, and one that most visitors to the area entirely miss.
Fair Head
Fair Head, a few miles east of Ballycastle, is one of the most dramatic headlands in Ireland. The cliffs here — dark basalt columns rising almost vertically from the sea to a height of over 180 metres — are genuinely awe-inspiring, and the views from the clifftop walk extend to Rathlin Island to the north, Scotland to the northeast, and the sweeping Antrim coast to the south. The walk to the headland from the car park is straightforward and takes around 30 to 40 minutes each way.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
A few miles west of Ballycastle, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is one of the most visited attractions on the Causeway Coast. A narrow rope bridge connects the mainland to a small island across a 30-metre drop to the sea below — a crossing that is exhilarating rather than genuinely frightening, but one that requires pre-booking during the busy summer season. Operated by the National Trust.
The Giant’s Causeway
About 20 miles west of Ballycastle along the A2 coastal road, the Giant’s Causeway is the most famous natural attraction in Northern Ireland and one of the most visited sites in Ireland. The UNESCO-listed formation of basalt columns is extraordinary, and the coastal walk above the Causeway is as spectacular as the columns themselves. Worth combining with a Rathlin Island and Giant’s Causeway weekend as part of a longer break in the area.
Where to Eat and Drink in Ballycastle
Ballycastle has a good selection of places to eat and drink for a town of its size. The harbour area and the town centre both have options ranging from casual cafés to more substantial restaurant meals. The town is well known locally for its fish and chips — Ballycastle is a fishing port, and the seafood is consequently fresh and well-prepared.
For those heading to Rathlin on an early ferry, it is worth noting that provisions on the island are limited — food and drink on Rathlin Island extends to McCuaig’s Bar and the harbour café, but picking up a packed lunch or supplies in Ballycastle before departure is sensible planning.
Where to Stay in Ballycastle
Ballycastle has a range of accommodation options including hotels, B&Bs and self-catering properties, with more choice available than on Rathlin Island itself. Staying in Ballycastle gives you the flexibility to catch the first morning ferry to Rathlin without an early drive from further afield, and to explore the wider Causeway Coast at leisure. Booking in advance is recommended for summer visits.
Using Ballycastle as a Base
For visitors wanting to combine Rathlin Island with the broader north Antrim area, Ballycastle makes an excellent base for two or three nights. A typical itinerary might include a day on Rathlin Island, a day exploring the Causeway Coast west towards the Giant’s Causeway, and a day discovering the quieter eastern section of the coast around Fair Head and Murlough Bay.
The town is genuinely proud of its position as the gateway to Rathlin Island, and that spirit of welcome extends naturally to visitors who take the time to explore what Ballycastle itself has to offer. It repays the attention.