Ballintoy History
Photo of Ballintoy by Art Ward ©

The history of Ballintoy goes back to the first settlers who came here over nine thousand years ago after the last ice-age, we know this from carbon dating of shell bed remains on the raised beach at White Park Bay and also from excavations in caves along the shore. The surrounding area contains lots of evidence of Neolithic and Mesolithic communities, three surrounding dolmens left in the landscape to remind us of this heritage. We know they manufactured and exported arrowheads and axe heads from here that have been found as far away as western Europe, The next level of remains are the forts/raths from the bronze and iron age, unfortunately, one which was located on top of Larry Bane Head was blasted away during the period of limestone extraction.

Photo of O'Rourkes Kitchen by © Art Ward
In 1625, Archibald Stewart received a grant from Randal MacDonnell, the first Earl of Antrim for two districts known as Ballyclough and Ballintoy, the yearly rent was nine pounds. This grant included Sheep Island and the little islands of Camplie. The Earl reserved the salmon fishing of Portnalarabane, (Larry Bane) and the Deer Park (high ground south of the village of Ballintoy known as Altmore). One local story suggests some possession of land at Ballintoy came about by foul means when the rightful owner was murdered at Knocksoghey. The victim's name is said to have been Maelderig or 'Red Chief' and his people became known as the Reid's, a name closely linked to Ballintoy and the coast of Kintyre in Scotland.

The village was the where most of the people lived, the harbour much like Larry Bane was an industrial and fishing location, a place of hard work. Today you can still see the remnants of past traditions in the landscape from the strip fields running from the main street down to the cliff edge to the scree slope of basalt chippings from the sett quarry at the Deer Park overlooking the village. The main street has the Fullerton Hotel, a bed and breakfast, Sheep Island Hostel, a farm and a small gift shop. The main focus is now tourism featuring the rope bridge and the picturesque harbour.