Former Harbour Wall

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A long wall between Mary Street and Tennis Courts.

A 3 metre high approximately random rubble sandstone wall on the public tennis court side but 1 metre high on Mary Street. The coping is rubble formed with stones on edge. The wall continues from Tow Bridge to the junction of Mary Street with Quay Road where it turns to partially enclose the NW side of the Bowling Green opposite the Marine Hotel. A pedestrian opening has been made in the wall at the bowling to access steps to the lower level of Bowling Green and Tennis Courts.

Historical information

The existing wall and the area of Bowling Green and Tennis Courts are the location of the former harbour created by Hugh Boyd in the 1740s. In 1737 the House of Commons granted a sum of £10,000 for making a harbour in the bay of Ballycastle sufficient to contain 30 ships of 30 tons burthern. Mr Boyd had to proceed with the work at his own expense and did not receive grant until it was satisfactorily completed. In spring of 1737 work began and continued until 1738, quarrying stone, transporting, erecting forges etc. The work of harbour and pier were completed by 1744 when £30,000 has been expended though traffic commenced in 1742. Mr Boyd also erected glasshouses to make bottles. One of these glasshouses, adjacent to the harbour still stood in 1831. Subsequently the pier was swept away in storms, the harbour silted up and lay derlict. In recent times the base of the harbour was drained, the surface laid out for recreational purposes.

References

Primary Sources
1. O.S. Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Co Antrim IX 1830-2, 1838, 1838-9
Ed by Angelique Day, Patrick McWilliams and Noirin Dobson p. 88, 89, 93, 97, 98, 103
2. O.S. Map 1832 Antrim sh. 9.
(shows harbour wall)
3. O.S. Map 1972 Antrim sh. 8-8 SE-3
(show harbour wall and present recreational facilities)

Secondary Sources
1. Richardson, A Guide to Ballycastle and Neighbourhood p. 13.
2. Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland p. 127

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

The harbour wall is an interesting relic of the 18th cent. endeavours of Hugh Boyd, owner of the Manor of Ballycastle, in establishing a safe harbour for ships and today forms pleasant and partly sheltered recreational activities. The structure is protected by its location within a conservation area, and is not considered to merit special architectural or historic designation beyond this as it presently survives.