Ballycastle Is Northern Ireland S Best Place To Live In 2022 Proud Locals Are In Full Agreement As Co Antrim Town Edges Out Derry And Helen S Bay

Passing through its picturesque harbor, families and business owners in Co Antrim talk lovingly about the epic coastline views on their doorstep. Rathlin Island is a short ferry ride and Scotland is also visible on a clear day. Although a small seaside town, Ballycastle boasts a thriving Main Street with many cafes, grocery stores and fish and chip shops. Selected as part of the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live festival, Ballycastle was selected before Londonderry and Helen’s Bay. They told Ballycastle: “This unspoilt fishing village is a real seaside town and not a tourist area, with a strong independent range and a welcoming atmosphere. “There is a lively dining scene, with everything from old-fashioned fish and chips at Morton’s by the harbor to delicious yeast at the Ursa Minor bakery. “The mile-long beach and beautiful surroundings make it a happy base for families.” With an average home price of £ 169,000, Ballycastle has grown by 11% since 2020. Enjoying time at the playground with two of her children, resident Marie Fox, 35, agreed it was an ideal place for families. “It’s definitely good for young people. “Great schools and great for walks on the beach,” he said. “It’s a lot busier this summer as well whenever we have shopping.” Elementary school teacher Claire Byrne said: “We go for a walk every day and it’s great to go out. “My children grew up here and went to high school and they have loved it.” At the family-run Shorebird Coffee Hut, James Delaney, 46, and son Finn, 19, agreed that their town was a worthy winner. “It’s not a big surprise, really. “I have five children and they all play sports and last night we had a party for an aunt at one of the local restaurants,” said James. “In Portrush you will have many more things like galleries, but people like this Ballycastle are virgin this way.” He said one drawback was the lack of a leisure center with a pool, which meant locals had to travel to Ballymoney or Coleraine. Finn added: “I think it’s a nice place to live, it’s a good mix of tourists and locals. This way you know all the faces and there are many places to walk. “Looking out the window you can see Scotland on a clear day.” Asked if he ever felt cut off from places like Belfast, he said: “To be honest, there are a lot of things to do here. “You have a lot of people from the surrounding cities coming here, even though it is not a huge community, people come for all the bars and nightclubs.” Dympna McNally (62) lives in London and still visits Ballycastle, where her parents grew up, once a month. “I can only speak personally, but I think it is quite friendly. I like the fact that it is not very crowded, the scenery is beautiful, the shops are good. “What more could you ask for?” He said. “One disadvantage is that it is not very well connected with transport links. It is a pity that the train does not come here anymore “.

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Dympna McNally from London visits Ballycastle every month. Dympna McNally from London visits Ballycastle every month. Ulster Union counselor Joan Baird spent her school years in the city. She said she became a refuge for her during the trouble when she visited her parents at the weekend. “The community here, in general, has done very well together …

title: “Ballycastle Is Northern Ireland S Best Place To Live In 2022 Proud Locals Are In Full Agreement As Co Antrim Town Edges Out Derry And Helen S Bay " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-14” author: “David Greenwood”

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