You’ll struggle – in an epic manner; this is Game of Thrones country – to find a more inspiring landscape than the sturdy coast and lush green glens surrounding Ballycastle. We’ve twice picked this friendly little port as our favourite place to live in Northern Ireland, thanks to its mile-long sand and shingle shore, stunning views, open spaces and town centre packed with locally owned shops. It comes to life in late August, when thousands of people take to the streets to eat yellowman and dulse (honeycomb and seaweed) at the Ould Lammas Fair, but there’s still a heartbeat out of season.
Bally has become a tasty hub of enterprising food businesses determined to squeeze every ounce of flavour out of the bountiful local larder.