O’Halloran’s Castle

O’Hallorans Castle is a prominent landmark located on a rock near Ballygally Head on the Antrim Coast Road heading in towards Ballygally from Larne (A2). This castle is said to have been the home of a poet named Agnew at some time in its past. The parish of Cairncastle (Cairn of the Castle) where the village of Ballygally is situated derives its name from these old ruins on the rock.

It is said that the stone ruins were originally built by the Anglo-Norman Knight Duncan Fitzgilbert who was given lands in Ballygally in the early 13^th century.

You can view the castle ruins whilst driving round the Headland of Ballygally however you cannot stop here. There is some parking just before the entrance to Ballygally from Larne, nearby the ‘Ballygally Bear’ stone. You can then look to the East towards Scotland and see the remains of the castle ruins in the distance.

Photos by: Ian McIlroy, Colum Mackle.