Some Views of Fairhead
This prominent headland and landmark rises beyond ballycastle, its soaring cliffs rise to 100m high and is 3km in length, its original name is Benmore - great head - and from prehistoric times there has been evidence of early settlement around it. It may have been the burial grounds for local kings as there is a wide range of graves near its summit.
According to legend, Fairhead got its name from the tale of a beautiful fair-headed girl who once lived in a castle on the island of Rathlin nearby. 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’.
Wild goats can be seen roaming among the rocks beneath the clifftops, where a walkway called ‘The Grey Man’s Path’ winds around the rugged coastline. ................. The views from the top are breathtaking!
Fairhead has been used as a navigation point by seamen since earliest times ....
Above Rathlin Ferry leaving Ballycastle Harbour.
Taken From Top Of Fairhead Showing Rathlin and Scotland In The background
Fairhead Lake Early Spring (Lough na Cranagh,)
Fairhead Lake Late Spring
Fairhead From Murlough Bay
A View Of Fairhead With Ballycastle Church Spire In The Foreground
Access
to the foot of Fair Head is
by way of a quite scary route known as 'Grey Man's
Path'. This path is spanned by a toppled
column of basalt and is the only way down
to the remains of what were once a rich and
vibrant coal workings. The easiest place from
where to explore this windswept headland is the National
Trust's small car park at Coolnalough a few miles from
Ballycastle .
Taken from the top of Fairhead, just below is the Grey Man's path which is a gulley that leads from the top of Fairhead right down to the shore.
Linls ....................... Click Here For A Guide To Climbing Fairhead
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