Days Out NI
Museum Ballycastle

Ballycastle Museum

Free local-history museum inside Ballycastle's listed 18th-century courthouse.

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Check hoursSeasonal: April-June & September Fri-Sat…
FreeAdmission
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30-45 minutesHow long
Family-friendlyBest for
FreeEntry
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IndoorsSetting

Ballycastle Museum — Free local-history museum inside Ballycastle's listed 18th-century courthouse.

  • Getting in: Free admission, self-guided, no booking needed.
  • Opening: Seasonal: April-June & September Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm; July-August Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm; closed October-March. Check before you go.
  • Family: Yes, suitable for children.
  • Tours: Self-guided; no scheduled tours.
  • Food: No café; cafés and shops are a short walk in the town centre.
  • Parking: Town-centre parking nearby; check before you go.
Plan your visit

What you'll see inside

The headline display tells the story of the Irish Home Industries Workshop and its appearance at the 1904 St Louis World's Fair. Around it sit Bronze Age and Neolithic archaeological finds, objects from 18th-century Ballycastle, and the Taise Banner carried at the first Feis na nGleann in 1904. The collection also reflects local rural life, the nearby Rathlin Island and the Auld Lammas Fair. The building itself is part of the appeal as one of the town's oldest surviving structures.

Free admission Self-guided Listed 18th-century courthouse Family-friendly Seasonal opening Town-centre location
Good to know before you go:

As a council-run museum, Ballycastle Museum has seasonal opening and runs occasional exhibitions and events, often linked to the town's Auld Lammas Fair in late August. Hours change between spring and summer, so check the latest before travelling.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 📷Camera or phoneMost galleries are photo-friendly — just check for any no-photos rooms.
  • 👟Comfy shoesPlenty to take in on foot, room to room.
  • 💷A few poundsFor the café, the shop, or a donation where entry is free.
  • 🕰️A bit of timeThe stories reward a slow look rather than a dash round.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Getting in
Free admission, self-guided, no booking needed
Opening
Seasonal: April-June & September Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm; July-August Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm; closed October-March. Check before you go.
Tours
Self-guided; no scheduled tours
Age limits
None; all ages welcome
Food
No café; cafés and shops are a short walk in the town centre
Family-friendly
Yes, suitable for children
Parking
Town-centre parking nearby; check before you go
Accessibility
Historic listed building; contact Museum Services on 028 2076 2024 to check access needs
How long to allow
About 30-45 minutes
Address
Ballycastle Museum, 59 Castle Street, Ballycastle BT54 6AS
Questions

Before you go

How much is it to get in?
Free admission, self-guided, no booking needed
What are the opening times?
Seasonal: April-June & September Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm; July-August Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm; closed October-March. Check before you go.
Is it good for kids?
Yes, suitable for children
Are there guided tours?
Self-guided; no scheduled tours
Is there parking?
Town-centre parking nearby; check before you go
Getting there

Ballycastle Museum is at Ballycastle Museum, 59 Castle Street, Ballycastle BT54 6AS. Town-centre parking nearby; check before you go. Tap below for directions.

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Nearby

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The story

About Ballycastle Museum

Ballycastle Museum is housed in the town's listed 18th-century courthouse and market building, one of the oldest surviving structures in the centre of Ballycastle. It is run by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Museum Service and holds Accredited Museum status.

The collection focuses on the social and rural history of the Ballycastle area and the Glens of Antrim, including material connected to Rathlin Island and the long-running Auld Lammas Fair. A permanent display covers the Irish Home Industries Workshop, which represented the town at the 1904 St Louis World's Fair during the Arts and Crafts revival, alongside Bronze Age and Neolithic archaeology and the 1904 Taise Banner from the first Feis na nGleann.