BALLYCASTLE

Irish Baile An Chaistil town, Moyle district (established 1973), formerly in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is situated along Ballycastle Bay, opposite Rathlin Island, where Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, is said to have hidden in a cave. Ballycastle is at the mouth of Glenshesk and close to Knocklayd (1,695 feet ). The town is a market centre, fishing harbour, and resort. Nearby are the ruins of Bunamargy Franciscan Friary and Dunaneanie Castle. In 1898 Guglielmo Marconi's first wireless system between a lighthouse and the mainland was installed at Rathlin and Ballycastle. Pop. (1981) 3,284.