Ballygally Castle
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Location: Ballygally, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
Size: 44 Rooms
Nearby: Perched on the tip of one of the world’s greatest road journeys, the Causeway Coastal Route, sits a 17th century castle. Ballygally Castle. Overlooking the golden sands of Ballygally Bay towards Scotland, and just a stone’s throw from the 9 Glens of Antrim and then on to the Giant’s Causeway.
A stay at this Irish castle is a journey in more ways than one. Because it’s the perfect base for exploring the stunning Antrim Coast – and your more creative side. Read a novel. Write a novel. Paint in their beautiful gardens. Drive a vintage car along the coast. Golf. Fish. Or join in the many activities provided by the Ballygally Castle and places nearby.
Tenon Recommends: Looking for a romantic place in Ireland to stay on an Ireland castle vacation or planning your honeymoon to Ireland? Ballygally Castle is perfect option! And, if you’re up for a little history – there are rumors of Ballygally being haunted by a number of ghosts!
Built in 1625 by James Shaw and his wife Isabella Brisbane. Shaw, a native of Greenock, Scotland, came to Ireland in 1606 to seek his fortune. In 1613, he received a sub-grant of land from the Earl of Antrim. It was on this land that the Ballygally Castle was built.
The original castle served as a place of refuge for the Protestants during the Civil Wars. During that time, it was handed down from fathers to sons and in 1799 it was passed to William Shaw, the last squire of Ballygally. In the early 1800s the Shaw family lost their wealth and the estate was sold to the Agnew family for £15,400.
For several years it was used as a coastguard station, before the Reverend Classon Porter and his family took residence. It was then taken over by the Moore family. They then sold it to textile millionaire Mr. Cyril Lord in the early 1950s, who refurbished it as a hotel.