With such a rugged coastline, it’s no surprise that the waters around Ballycastle hold numerous shipwrecks.
The most famous is HMS Drake, lying in about 100 feet of water in Church Bay, Rathlin Island. On 2 October 1917, while on First World War convoy duty, the Drake was torpedoed by German submarine U-79 north of Rathlin. The captain made for the nearest anchorage at Church Bay, where the crew were taken off before the ship capsized — 19 of the crew were lost. Its mast was visible above the waves for decades; a marker buoy now marks the spot. It’s a popular dive in a relatively sheltered location, and also draws deep-sea fishermen.
Diving
There are over a hundred wrecks within Ballycastle Bay and Rathlin Sound, with more along the east and west coastline — among them the Loughgarry, in 90 feet of water off the east of Rathlin, the Santa Maria off Fair Head, and the Templemore, in 60 feet of water near the entrance to Ballycastle harbour. Local dive operators can advise on conditions and access.