Overview
Ballykelly sits on the eastern fringe of Lough Foyle in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The modest village is a gateway to the Causeway Coastal Route and the popular Lough Foyle Trail, an 8 km flat walk that hugs the sea wall and delivers sweeping water‑front vistas, abundant wildlife and easy links to neighbouring hamlets such as Myroe. Overlooking the same lough, the former RAF Ballykelly airfield looms on the low‑lying farmland south‑east of Limavady, its concrete runways and massive cantilever hangar a stark reminder of the area’s wartime significance.
History & Background
Village roots
The name Ballykelly appears in historic records on both sides of the border, but the County Londonderry settlement grew around a natural harbour that served fishermen and traders for centuries. The most visible relic of its medieval past is Ballykelly Castle, a 12th‑century stone fortress that once guarded the approaches to the lough. Interpretive panels and occasional guided tours explain how the castle shaped regional power dynamics during the Norman and later Gaelic periods.
RAF Ballykelly
- June 1 1941 – Opened as a Coastal Command airfield, primarily for anti‑submarine patrols over the North Atlantic.
- 1942‑1945 – Hosted B‑17 Flying Fortresses (No 220 Squadron) and Liberators (No 120 Squadron). In 1943 the main runway was extended to 7 500 ft and uniquely built to cross the Belfast‑Derry railway line; a signal‑box and bell warned pilots when a train was due.
- Post‑war – Re‑opened in 1947 as the Joint Anti‑Submarine School, training crews on Avro Shackleton MR1/MR2 aircraft. The base supported Operation Grapple (1957‑58) and, for a short period, operated as the Royal Navy’s HMS Sealion (Fleet Air Arm units 819 Squadron, 1962‑63).
- 1971 – The last Shackleton left; the site was handed to the British Army and renamed Shackleton Barracks.
- Today – The airfield is privately owned by the MJM Group. The control tower, the 700‑ft‑wide cantilever hangar and three concrete runways remain visible from public roads, offering a striking backdrop for history enthusiasts and urban explorers.
What to See & Do
Lough Foyle Trail
- Start point: Station Road car park (free parking).
- Highlights:
- Burnfoot River / Broharris Canal crossing at 3.5 km, with a footbridge to Ballymacran.
- Bird hide for waders and gulls.
- ‘Horseshoe bends’ near Myroe, perfect for dramatic photographs.
- Multiple access points at Carse Road (Broharris), Carrowclare Road (Ballymacran) and Shore Avenue (Myroe) for customised distances.
- Duration: About two hours for the full loop; shorter segments are common.
- Wider context: The trail forms part of the Causeway Coast Way, a long‑distance coastal route linking Derry to Belfast.
Historic sites
- Ballykelly Castle – Medieval stonework, interpretive panels and optional guided tours (by appointment).
- Roe Valley Country Park (≈ 3 km north) – Woodlands, river walks and a small visitor centre.
- Limavady Museum – 18th‑century courthouse housing artefacts from the wider region.
- RAF Ballykelly remnants – View the control tower, hangar and runway scar from the adjacent road; a self‑guided walk reveals the railway‑crossing runway and wartime concrete structures.
Natural highlights & nearby attractions
- Ballymacran Bank – Sandy beach and rock formations ideal for tide‑pooling.
- Dog Leap Cliff (6 km) and Binevenagh (14 km) – Rugged coastal scenery for more adventurous walkers.
- Myroe River – Tranquil waterway frequented by otters and kingfishers.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
The Lough Foyle shoreline supports a variety of waders and gulls, including oystercatchers, curlews and red‑knots. The bird hide on the trail provides a quiet spot for spotting wintering wildfowl and, in spring, migrating swallows and swifts.
Transport & Access
By road
Ballykelly lies on the A2 coastal road, the main artery of the Causeway Coastal Route linking Derry to Belfast. The A2 is well‑signed and offers easy on‑ and off‑ramps for walkers and cyclists.
Railway heritage
The former RAF runway famously crossed the Belfast‑Derry line – originally part of the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway – making it one of the few airfields in the UK where aircraft and trains shared a crossing. Though the line is now a modern rail service, the historic signal‑box and warning bell remain as a reminder of this unique engineering solution.
Public transport
- Ulsterbus runs regular services between Limavady, Derry and Ballykelly, stopping at the village centre.
- The nearest active railway station is Londonderry (Derry) station, about 15 km north, offering connections to Belfast and the wider NI rail network.
Practical Information
- Getting there: Drive the A2 coastal road or take Ulsterbus services from Limavady or Derry.
- Parking: Free car parking at Station Road (trail start) and limited roadside spaces near the airfield viewpoint. During peak summer weekends the car park can fill quickly, so early arrival is advised.
- Accessibility: The majority of the Lough Foyle Trail is gravel but relatively flat; sections near the river crossing may be uneven. The castle grounds have limited wheelchair access.
- Opening times: The trail is open year‑round. Castle tours operate by appointment with local providers. The RAF site has no official visitor centre; viewing is from public roads only.
- Facilities: Restrooms at the trail car park, a small café in Limavady, and a visitor centre in Roe Valley Country Park.
- Visitor tip: Check tide tables before planning a beach visit at Ballymacran Bank – low tide reveals extensive rock pools, while high tide can restrict beach access.
- Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn for optimal weather, wildlife activity and longer daylight for the trail.
Ballykelly offers a rare combination of serene coastal walking, medieval heritage and a palpable slice of 20th‑century military history – all within a compact, easily explored corner of Northern Ireland.