Capecastle

Overview

Capecastle (sometimes written Cape Castle) is a small village and townland nestled between Armoy and Ballycastle in the Causeway Coast and Glens district of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Though modest in size, the settlement sits on a corridor of industrial heritage that once pulsed with the Ballycastle Railway – a 17‑mile narrow‑gauge line that linked the coastal town of Ballycastle with the inland market town of Ballymoney. Today the village is a quiet waypoint for walkers, cyclists and history enthusiasts who are drawn to the remnants of the railway, especially the impressive Capecastle Tunnel.

Name & Spelling

The official Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland lists the settlement as Cape Castle, while local usage favours the concatenated form Capecastle. Both names refer to the same place and appear on maps and road signs. (Wiktionary confirms the alternative forms.)

Geography & Access

• Grid reference: D0836 (Irish grid)
• Coordinates: 55.1658 N, 6.2956 W
• Postcode: BT54 6 (covers the immediate area – sourced from third‑party data, verification required)
• Altitude: approximately 266 ft (81 m) above sea level – also from third‑party data, verification required
• Nearest towns: Armoy (≈ 4.5 km), Ballycastle (≈ 5 km), Ballymoney (≈ 11 km).
• Road access: The village lies on the A44; the tunnel entrance is reached via Islandarragh Road and Hillside Road.

History

The Ballycastle Railway opened in 1880, providing passenger and freight services for almost seven decades. Capecastle railway station began operation on 1 February 1882, serving the local community and the surrounding agricultural hinterland. The line was absorbed into the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (later the Northern Counties Committee) before the Ulster Transport Authority closed it completely on 3 July 1950.

The Tunnel’s Significance

Capecastle Tunnel is a single‑bore, 66‑yard (≈ 60 m) stone tunnel – one of the very few such structures on the Irish narrow‑gauge network. Its solid masonry arches remain in excellent condition, although the original trackbed has become water‑logged. The tunnel sits at the Ballycastle end of the line, just a short walk from the former halt, which was a tiny stop about three miles from the Ballycastle terminus and positioned in a small hollow at the foot of Knocklayd Mountain.

Heritage & Modelling Interest

The tunnel and its halt have attracted a small but enthusiastic community of railway modellers. A 2025 project on the Irish Railway Modeller forum documents a detailed 5.5 mm scale layout recreating Capecastle halt, the 66‑yard tunnel and surrounding landscape. The modeller, Patrick Davey, notes a personal family link – his great‑grandfather James O’Connor was a driver on the line before its 1923 takeover – adding a poignant human dimension to the preservation effort.

Modelling Project Updates (2025‑2026)

• The layout is being built to 5.5 mm scale using 0‑16.5 track, which accurately represents the original 3 ft Irish narrow‑gauge.
• A scratch‑built 0‑6‑0 ST locomotive, Countess of Antrim, is being constructed in collaboration with master builder Alan Nixon (@Tullygrainey).
• The trackwork is now fully wired, painted and ballasted; a narrow scenic section (≈ 7 ft × 1 ft 2 in) forms the tunnel’s interior.
• The project is DCC‑controlled and will be a working layout rather than a static diorama.
• Ongoing progress, photographs and layout plans are posted on the Irish Railway Modeller forum for fellow enthusiasts.

Community & Cultural History

The local Orange lodge, Moyarget Chosen Few (LOL 1196), has historic ties to Capecastle. Records indicate that from the late 1830s the lodge held meetings on Islandarragh Road and later in McKillops blacksmith’s shop at Moyarget – both within the Capecastle area. The lodge’s 200‑year anniversary celebrations in 2024 highlighted this long‑standing connection to the village, underscoring Capecastle’s role as a community hub beyond its railway past.

What to See & Do

Capecastle Tunnel

The tunnel is the star attraction for visitors to the village. Measuring 66 yards (about 60 metres) in length, its stone arches are still in excellent condition, though the original trackbed is now water‑logged. The southern portal can be seen from the junction of Islandarragh Road and Hillside Road, where a small stone bridge once carried trains over the old line. Photographers often capture the dramatic contrast between the dark interior of the tunnel and the bright Antrim sky at the entrance.

Walking the Future Greenway

Local campaigners envision a Ballymoney‑to‑Ballycastle Greenway of Thrones, a traffic‑free route that would weave through Capecastle’s tunnel, the Dark Hedges and other iconic sites along the old railway alignment. While the greenway is still in the planning stage, the existing footpaths and farm lanes that follow the former track provide a pleasant, low‑traffic walking experience. Hikers can continue northwards from the tunnel, passing the embankments that skirt the shadow of Knocklayd Mountain, before joining the Moyle Way – a coastal trail that leads down to Ballycastle.

Nearby Attractions

Capecastle sits a short distance from several of Antrim’s headline attractions. The Dark Hedges, a celebrated beech avenue made famous by Game of Thrones, lies a few kilometres to the south near Armoy. The Causeway Coast, with its dramatic cliffs and the UNESCO‑listed Giant’s Causeway, is easily reachable by car or bus from the village. For railway enthusiasts, the former Ballycastle Railway stations at Ballymoney and Ballycastle still retain some original features, and the Ulsterbus station in Ballycastle occupies the old railway terminus. The Ballycastle Heritage Trail also passes close to the former line, offering additional interpretive signage.

Practical Information

Capecastle is served by regular Ulsterbus services that run along the A44, stopping at the junction with Islandarragh Road. The nearest larger towns with train connections are Ballymoney (on the Belfast‑Derry line) and Ballycastle (bus hub). Because the tunnel is not currently part of an official greenway, there are no formal opening hours or admission fees – access is free, though visitors should be mindful of private land boundaries along the old trackbed.

Getting There

• By Bus: Ulsterbus routes along the A44 stop at Islandarragh Road; alight here and follow signage to the tunnel entrance.
• By Car: From the A44, turn onto Islandarragh Road and continue to the junction with Hillside Road. Limited roadside parking is available near the tunnel’s southern portal.
• By Bike: The proposed greenway route is already popular with local cyclists who use the existing farm lanes and footpaths that trace the old railway line.

Visitor Tips

• Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear – the tunnel interior can be damp and slippery.
• No lighting is provided inside; natural light filters in at both ends, creating striking shadows.
• There are no visitor facilities in the village; bring water and snacks.
• Dogs are permitted on the surrounding footpaths but should be kept on a lead while near the tunnel entrance.
• The tunnel is not wheelchair‑accessible and may be closed temporarily after heavy rain due to water‑logging.
• Nearest public toilets and cafés are in Ballycastle, about 5 km away.

If you prefer a guided experience, several local tour operators in Ballymoney and Ballycastle offer Game of Thrones and heritage walks that include a stop at Capecastle. These tours often combine a visit to the Dark Hedges with a brief walk through the tunnel, providing context about the railway’s role in the region’s development.