Baile an Chaistil

Baile an Chaistil derives from 'baile' (town) and 'chaistil' (castle), naming the settlement after Ballycastle Castle built by Sir Randal McDonnell, Earl of Antrim, around 1625. The town emerged from three merged settlements: the MacDonnell stronghold around Dunaneeny Castle, Bonamargy Friary, and a castle in the Diamond area. The MacDonnells of Antrim dominated the region from the late 14th ce...