Ballycastle means town of the castle, the name derives from 1609 when the Earl of antrim built a castle here.The town grew from a small hamlet and slipway at the mouth of the river Margie known as Margietown, there are references to it also being called Market Town and Port Brittas. More information about the town and places of interest closeby can be found in About the Town.

The oldest surviving remains are that of Bonamargie Friary built in the thirteenth century by Rory MacQuillen. Before the 1609 castle another one existed on the cliffs overlooking the present day ferry terminal. Known as Dunineeny or Dunaneanie (Fort of the fair or games), it was where Sorley Boy MacDonnell of Dunluce Castle fame was born in 1505 and died in 1590. He is interred in the vaults of Bonamargie Friary along with other Earls of Antrim. His brother Colla McDonnell built Kenbane Castle which is two miles out of Ballycastle on the Ballintoy road.

Ramoan (Rathmudhain) was founded here by the ministry of St. Patrick in the 5th century. The graveyard still stands on the original site but the ruins are that of a later building. He is also attributed with the founding of another church in the townland of Drumeeny, Glenshesk. The glen where St.Gobain who built Templastragh near Portbraddon, is reputed to have originated from.

The Antrim Coast Road or Causeway Coastal Route passes through the town, a few miles out at Ballyvoy you have a choice of two roads. The main Causeway Coasatal Route over the mountain plateau or the Torr Scenic Route which passes the laneways to dramatic Fairhead and stunning Murlough Bay. Here you'll find one of the most spectacular walks in Northern Ireland from Murlough to Fairhead. The road follows the coast past Torr Head, Altgore Cashel and O'Neills Cairn to the village of Cushendun.