Thronging the streets for dulse and yellow man... Auld Lammas Fair draws 200,000 to Ballycastle
THE streets of the north Antrim town of Ballycastle were bustling yesterday for the first day of the Auld Lammas Fair.
An estimated 200,000 people are expected to visit the event this week.
It is reputed to be one of the oldest fairs in Ireland.
There was plenty to entertain visitors of all ages on the opening day, with the much-loved traditional horse markets taking place as well as street entertainment, dancers, musicians, local singers and dozens of market stalls lining the streets, with plenty of yellow man and dulse on offer for the hungry hordes.
Scores were also intrigued to get the chance to see close-up the ancient craft of horseshoe mak ing, while the funfair amusements were as big a hit with both young and older as ever.
The event marks the end of summer and the start of harvest, has been running since the 17th century. The fair will resume this morning in Ballycastle from 9am to 9pm.
It officially opened on Sunday evening with a fireworks display.
A free park-and-ride facility is available just a mile outside the town on the Glenshesk Road, operating over the two days of the fair from 10am-7pm. The site can be conveniently accessed by traffic travelling from the Armoy and Cushendall direction and users can avail of a free shuttle bus to the Marine corner at the seafront every 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Causeway Coast & Glens Artisan Market is set to continue tomorrow at the seafront in Ballycastle.