Ruins

Kinbane Castle (also known as Kenbane, meaning "white headland") is a little-known jewel in the North Coast of County Antrim. A secluded ruin at the bottom of a steep cliff face, the castle commands excellent views of the surrounding coastline with Fair Head to the East and Rathlin Island to the North. Travelling further west will take you past Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge and on to the Giants Causeway.

There is an air of peace and solitude at Kinbane which is difficult to find elsewhere, perhaps because the castle is slightly off the beaten track. It is situated atop a huge limestone outcrop which rises from the rocky shore to 100 feet at its far end.

We took a little trip to Inch Abbey in Downpatrick a few weeks ago, a secluded spot just off the main road before you come into the town. It was late afternoon/early evening as we arrived and the Abbey was vitrually abandoned except for the odd dog-walker passing through. Although it's not immediately obvious, Inch is an island which is accessed by a causeway. The River Quoile runs to the south with marshland surrounding it to the north.

A Short History Of Bonamargy Friary

It is only appropriate to begin by mentioning that the olde worlde pronunciation of Bonamargy was Bun-na-Mairgie, which means "at the foot of the Margy". The Friary can be found on the road out of Ballycastle, on the Cushendall road. The Friary is situated in the middle of Ballycastle's golf course, and is a stone's throw from the beach. As you pass out of town, you will see the ruins on the right hand side in the midst of Ballycastle's golf course - it's a good job the Friary doesn't have windows!