| Neolithic Settlers - Ballygally Local History |
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An archaeological dig at Ballygally Head in 1957 revealed evidence of the first ‘open-cast’ flint mining methods in Ireland. Flint was supplemented by a hard, metamorphic rock called porcellanite and was used in the making of axes and could be found at Tievebulliagh near Cushendall. Once quarried there it could be ground and finished on site or carried elsewhere for finishing. Porcellanite is such a rare material that porcellanite blades have been found in places as far apart as Aberdeenshire, Dorset and Kent and could only have originated in County Antrim. The Rock ‘island’ found on the highest point of Ballygally Head was known as a small fort or rath, this has the remnants of an ancient castle and gives its name to the nearby parish, Cairncastle – the castle on the cairn. Archaeologists say this had been a settlement, probably between 700 and 1000 AD. The caves along Knockdhu Mountain and in Ballycoose (the townland of the caves) were the homes of some of these early settlers. On these higher reaches they would have herded sheep and cattle while on the lower and gentler slopes leading down to Ballygally Bay crop would have been grown. The Bay itself was convenient enough to collect sea fish for food. Evacuations in the summer of 1989 at the site of Croft Manor (current housing development) in Ballygally uncovered over one million pieces of flint also dating back to the Neolithic period. The finds included stone materials and uniquely designed foundations of a homestead native to the Isle of Arran, off the Scottish coast. This clearly showed the movement and point if origin of some settlers to this area 6,000 years ago. Other artefacts discovered included: remains of pottery, axes, querns, beads and an incredible one million flints. Some 300 pieces of pitchstone had been recovered from the site, compared to 30 to date from elsewhere in the North East of Ireland. The industrial activity which was carried on at this time at Ballygally Head and further north along the Country Antrim coastline was quite well developed and far reaching. Today golfers from the Cairndhu Golf Club play on top of the Neolithic factory at Ballygally Head. The Shaw family came from Greenock in Scotland in 1606 and received grants of land from the Earl in Cairncastle. A grant was made on February 21st 1621 to ‘John Shaw, the younger, of Carnfunnock…the six score acres at C’funnock and the four score acres at the north part of Corkermain, and the south part of Ballyrudder. One of the family James built a fortified house or castle at Ballygally in 1625 to protect his family and other Scottish Settlers. The castle stands proudly today beside the Coast Road. It is now Ballygally Castle Hotel and attracts many summer visitors. James Shaw took in many settlers from Cairncastle and Ballygally to his fortified house (castle). Allister McColl MacDonnell, a kinsman and friend to Alexander, the Earl of Antrim’s brother who lived at Glenarm Castle, tried unsuccessfully to force his way in to Shaw’s house in Ballygally. Many atrocities were committed by both sides in the Rebellion. The Jamieson family of Ballygawn, Cairncastle, briefly left regiment at Glenarm. On the other hand the garrison at Ballygally were quick to take revenge. On these retaliatory excursions the garrison were often joined by Captain John Agnew of Kilwaughter. On one occasion a group of horsemen from Ballygally Castle came across an Irish woman at Scawt Hill. One of the party, Thomas Boyd of Ballyruther, drew his sword and struck her a fatal blow on her head. Closer to Larne the slaughter of Irish residents in Islandmagee is well documented. |
