This article first appeared in The Glynns Volume 15 (1987) and is re-presented here in it’s original format.
These extracts are culled at random from the files of the “Coleraine Chronicle” now “The Chronicle” and are printed here by courtesy of the editor of that paper, Mr. H. McGrattan. This paper appeared for the first time in 1844 but there is no reference to the fair in that year nor for several years afterwards.
1862: This Donnybrook of the North commenced on Tuesday last, when business and not fun, is the principal element. There was a large number of small ‘shelties’, a vast number of sheep from Rathlin and a pretty good show of black cattle. Business was pretty brisk and good animals changed hands at remunerative prices. The fair was continued on Wednesday, when the town was crowded with well-dressed country folk of both sexes. Amusements of a class characteristic of this fair were duly patronised. The fair lasted until Thursday, though to those who have seen previous fairs, the last appeared rather thinly attended and the fun neither so fast nor so furious.
1876: This great annual fair came off on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday last (29th, 30th and 31st August). The attendance on Tuesday was the largest for some years past. There was a good supply of horses, cattle and sheep; prices were a little back, but there was a great number of sales made at good prices. Mr. John White of Lealand sold a lot of ten bullocks to Mr. McKeown at £ 17 a head. One year old colts were rating from £20 to £28 each. Sheep were somewhat advanced in price and sold rapidly. The supply of Islay fish was small compared with former years and ranged from the very high rates of eleven shillings to fourteen shillings per dozen.
1888: The annual ‘big’ fair was held on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday and Thursday and was patronised to no little extent by the local farmers and dealers. There was an immense throng of people on the streets during each day and the collection of cattle, sheep and horses exposed for sale was exceedingly large. The quality of the stock in the several departments was generally good, and on the whole a large amount of business was transacted. The following are a number of the quotations — yearling heifers from £2 to £3-10 and £4. Two year olds from £4-2-6 to £6-12-6; springing and milch heifers from £5 to £8-12-6; cows from £6 to £10-10-0, agricultural horses from £12 up. Lambs from 10/- up, sheep from £1 up.
1890: The August Lammas Fair of Ballycastle commenced on Tuesday 26th for the sale of horses, cattle, sheep and pigs, and was continued next day for pleasure. Buyers attended from across the channel—Belfast, Derry, Ballymena, Coleraine, Ballymoney and the other surrounding towns and the fair was one of the largest held for a considerable time past. The weather was favourable and a pretty brisk business was carried on during the day at the following prices: — springers, first class sold from £ 16 to £20 each and from £ 10-15 to £ 15 for other kinds. Milch cows realised from £ 12-10 to £ 15-10 for best quality; medium £ 10 to £12 each; old cows £7 to £9-10 each. Three year old heifers and bullocks sold at from £11 to £16-10 each; two year olds £9 to £10-15 each; one year and a half olds £7-10 to £9-10 each; yearlings from £5 to £7. The sheep fair was largely supplied. Fat sheep sold at from 50/- to 60/- each; other kinds 35/- to 48/- each; black faced lambs from 12/6 to 25/- each. Brood sows sold from £3-10 to £5 each; slips 30/- to 45/- each and young pigs from 28/- to 44/- per pair. There was a large supply of horses, ponies and shelties.
1891: The great annual Lammas Fair of Ballycastle was held on Tuesday (25th) and Wednesday last for the sale of stock of all descriptions and was larger in every department than former years. There was a good attendance of buyers from across the channel, Belfast, Derry, Ballymena, Coleraine and all the surrounding towns. Demand all round was slack and the prices obtained in the different departments were not considered good. Best beef sold from 48/- to 55/- per cwt, second class 40/- to 48/- per cwt. There was a very large number of fat cattle sold and some choice animals realised from £ 14 to £20 each; best springers from £ 14 to £ 19 each, and second class £ 11 to £14 each. First class milch cows from £12 to £16 each; second quality £9-10 to £12. Strippers and dry cows from £7 to £10 each. There was a good supply of two year old heifers and bullocks which sold at prices varying from £9 to £12-10 each; one and a half year olds from £9 down, yearlings from £L5 to £7 each. The sheep fair was very large; butchers’ sheep varied in price from 35/- to 55/- each. Some good ewes with lambs at foot were sold at fairly good prices. Mountain sheep from 16/- to 25/- each; lambs 10/- to 20/- each. The pig fair was well supplied with brood sows, slips and suckers.
1898: The celebrated big Lammas Fair of Ballycastle was held on 30th and 31st August. It was one of the largest held in the district for year’s. Buyers from Belfast, Derry and Armagh and cross channel attended, some even before the day of opening. It is believed that it would have been the most successful fair held here for years, but unfortunately at eleven o’clock and up to 7 p.m. a continuous heavy downpour of rain set in and damped those attending and practically spoilt the day. The second day compensated by being gloriously fine, but the rain of the previous day acted on the attendance. There was a great show of sheep, cattle and horses. Prices as follows:—| bullocks, first class £14 to £17; second class £11-10-0 to £14; third class £9 to £11. Sheep from 17/6 to 42/-, a large sale being made in this class; lambs 18/- to 32/-; bullocks 27/- per cwt.; middling class 23/6 per cwt.
There was a splendid show of Cushendall ponies. The Islay fish trade was most successful, ling, cod, etc. being in abundance. All the lots were sold from 3/6 to 7/6 a bundle. In the fruit market there was a great supply. The lots were chiefly bought by wholesale traders from Ballymena and Belfast. 1927: The Lammas Fair was held on Tuesday and with delightful weather prevailing the attendance reached record proportions.
The excellent facilities afforded by the Railway company were availed of by upwards of 1,000 while bus and charabanc brought their quota of visitors. The crowd was well catered for in the amusement line and the usual throng of street vendors were present. Coming to the more serious business of the fair, trade, on the whole was fairly good. Buyers from all over Northern Ireland and a number from the Free State and cross channel centres were present. Details — Calves under six months, £5 to £6; store cattle over six and not exceeding twelve months — first class £8 to £ 11; second class £7 to £9; one year old and under two years — first class £12 to £15; second class £10 to £12; fat cattle, two years old and under three years — first class £18 to £20; second class £15 to £18; springers — first class £20 to £26; second class £ 18 to £20; third class £ 16 to £ 18; milch cows £ 12 to £ 16; farm horses £8 to £20. Cushendall ponies £10 to £12. Sheep (number in fair about 2,500) — cross bred lambs ranged from 26/- to 35/-; half-bred 26/- to 32/-; black faced first class 15/- first class 15/- to £1; second class 12/- to 16/-; black faced wethers 35/- to £2-5; mountain wethers 30/- to £2; cross bred year old ewes £2-5 to £3.
1928: Ballycastle Lammas Fair, which was held on Tuesday, is one of the largest in Ireland. The fair has been in existence for more than two centuries, but whereas it now only occupies two days, seventy years ago it lasted a week, during which there was great revelry. The public houses were then open night and day and the ball-rooms were crowded. The fair in those days was not as peaceful as it is today. Thirty-five years ago saw the last of the Islay luggers. From 300 to 450 Islay people then came to the fair every year, bringing upwards of one hundred tons of dried fish, which were bought up by wholesale merchants and the farming community. The fair is held in a square known as the Diamond, and is packed with amusements of every description.
Gambling tables figured largely up to last year when the Urban Council put a ban on them. That ban was removed this year, but the police authorities have stepped in and prohibited gambling taking place. Buyers attended from the Free State, England and Scotland, over five thousand people being present. Trade was good in the sheep department, especially in cross bred lambs, which were in great demand. Details: Springers, first class £20 to £25; second class £ 15 to £ 18; milchers first class £ 15 to £ 18; second class £12 to £15. Three-year old heifers and bullocks £17 to £24, two year olds £15 to £17; six quarter-olds £12 to £14. Yearlings £6 to $8. Farm horses £20 to £25. Cushendall ponies £12 to £15. There were over five thousand sheep penned. Quotations:- Cross bred ewe lambs 35/- to 40/-; cross bred wether lambs 25/- to 30/-; black faced wethers 30/- to 35/; black faced ewes 35/- to 40/-; black faced wether lambs 12/- to 16/-; black faced ewe lambs 30/- to 40/-; cross bred year-olds 40/- to 50/-.