Fairhead & Murlough Bay

About

STARTING POINT

Take the A2 Cushendall Road out of Ballycastle, turn left onto the Torr Road. Turn left again onto the Fairhead Road, which is signposted for Fairhead Car Park. The National Trust car park is located at the end of Fairhead Road. Another car park is present closer to Murlough Bay. Instead of turning left on to the Fairhead Road, continue along the Torr Road. Turn left and left again, following the signs for Murlough Bay.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Spectacular views and a world of breath-taking natural beauty can be seen for endless miles along the rugged rocks of Fairhead, Murlough Bay and Torr Head. Known as Northern Ireland’s tallest cliff face, the impressive Fairhead rises 600 feet above sea level and can be seen from Ballycastle and many other points along the north coast.The rocky headland lies 3 miles (5 km) east of Ballycastle town, and is the closest part of the mainland to Rathlin Island. Highly regarded as a rock-climbing location, it is believed to be the biggest expanse of climbable rock in both Ireland and Britain.

Owned by the National Trust and private landowners, visitors to the area will be astounded by its well-preserved natural beauty. Wild goats can be seen roaming among the rocks beneath the cliff tops, where a trail called ‘The Grey Man’s Path’ winds around the rugged coastline. From the road, a man-made Iron Age island, or crannóg, can be seen in the middle of a lake, Lough na Cranagh. The lakes are stocked with trout and can be fished during the summer months.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Amazing views over to Rathlin, Mull of Kintyre and Arran. According to one story: Fair Head got its name from the tale of a beautiful fair-headed girl who once lived in a castle on Rathlin Island. She had many suitors, leading to a fight between two of them. One was mortally wounded and, as he lay dying, whispered to his servant to dance with the girl on the cliffs below the castle. The faithful servant obeyed, and danced nearer and nearer the edge of the cliff until they both fell over and died. The spot on the mainland where the girl’s body was washed up was from then on known as ‘Fairhead’