 |
Ballycastle. |
 |
||
| (Baile Cashlin, Ballycastle) It is probable that Ballycastle has
the distinction The fair still has many of the characteristics
of the An early name for Ballycastle is said to have been Port Brittas, it was from there that the Dalriadans (A local tribal group) sailed to and collonised parts of western Scotland, in 506 led by the chiefs Angus and Fergus, tradition related that they took with them the Lia Fail or stone of fate, on which Irish Monarchs were crowned at Tara in county Meath, almost eight centuried later in 1296 the Lia Fail was taken from Scone in Scotland to Westminster Abbey, London by Edward I. The above mentioned Fergus is probably the same who gave his name to the town of Carrickfergus when his galley was wrecked and he drowned in 530 AD. At the north end of the town near
the harbour is a memorial to Marconi John "The Carver" Maculey (1873-1937) was born on a small farm in Glenshesk (Sedgy glen) unfortunately when young he met with an accident which left him crippled, John had a talent for music and wood carving, he set up a business in Ann Street, Ballycastle (now Dan McLister's News agency & Toy Shop) carving all manner of objects from bog oak. John Maculey was an accomplished fiddle player and wrote a number of songs, the only one that was ever published was 'The Ould Lammas Fair' which sadly did not become popular until after his death in 1937. Did you treat your Mary Anne Read all the words here.
|
||||
 |
|
of
hosting a fair for a longer period than any town in Ireland. There has
been a fair here since the 1400's. It was first held near Dunineny Castle
this name means 'fort of the fair' little remains of the castle now. The
fair is held on the last Monday and Tuesday of August. '
 |
 |