Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Granny Rock
Town Parks, Causeway Coast and Glens, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- Memorial
- Date of construction
- Pre 1600
- Address
- Granny Rock, Bayview Road, Ballycastle, Co Antrim
- Townland
- Town Parks
- Council
- Causeway Coast and Glens
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 55.20749, -6.24037
- Date of survey
- 12 September 2000
- HB reference
- HB05/14/029
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1827 "Antrim, Raghery." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
A large projecting lump of black rock erupting from a sea of concrete.
An impressive column of rock rising out of a concrete concourse that now forms the approaches to the improved harbour at Ballycastle. At its base is a commemorative plaque in granite recording Marconi and Kemp’s exploits in telegraphic communication. Before the harbour improvements the rock, known as Granny’s Rock, had the sea waves lap against it.
Historical information
The O.S. Map of 1832 does not ascribe a name to this rock, though it might have been used as a coastguard flag signal point and such is indicated about this position. However on the revision of 1856 the rock gains the sobriquet “Granny’s Rock”. The plaque at its base is a relocation on 24th July 1998, presumably, during the harbour improvements. The plaque, originally erected in July 1973, recalls the activities of Marchese Marconi and George Kemp in the area in the work of wireless communication. The rok was one of the locations tested by Kemp to achieve a signal from Rathlin. See record HB05/13/035. The rock is now encompassed by a concourse of concrete created during the work of harbour improvements.
Primary Sources
1. O.S. Map 1832 Antrim sheets 5 and 9.
2. O.S. Map 1832 Rev. 1856 Antrim sheets 5 and 9.
3.. O.S. Map 1904 Ballycastle
Secondary Sources
1. Ballycastle Conservation Area Booklet
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
An interesting geological rock foundation with added interest for its association with the work of Marconi and Kemp.
Nearby in the register
- Fish StoreStoreunder 1 mi
- 5 Bayview RoadDemolishedunder 1 mi
- 4 Bayview RoadHouseunder 1 mi
- Rosemary CottageHouseunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.