Ballymoney is a market town in County Antrim, inland from Portrush and Bushmills - not a coastal stop itself, but close enough to the Causeway Coast to work as a base, and genuinely worth a visit in its own right for one specific reason.
The Dunlop Racing Dynasty
Ballymoney is the hometown of the Dunlop family, one of the most famous names in motorcycle road racing. Joey Dunlop, born here in 1952, earned the nickname “King of the Roads” through 26 Isle of Man TT wins, 24 Ulster Grand Prix victories, and 13 North West 200 titles - numbers that make him one of the most successful road racers in history. He was killed racing in Estonia on 2 July 2000; an estimated 60,000 mourners attended his funeral in Ballymoney, and the town opened the Joey Dunlop Memorial Garden in May 2001. The garden now holds monuments to three members of the same family - Joey, his younger brother Robert, and Robert’s son William - all road racers, all killed racing. It’s a genuinely moving, unusual thing to find in the middle of a small market town, and a real pilgrimage site for motorsport fans visiting Northern Ireland.
Georgian Ballymoney
Beyond the racing history, Ballymoney’s town centre holds real Georgian-era heritage: Ballymoney Town Hall, built in 1866, now houses the town’s Arts, Museum and Visitor Information Centre, with a permanent exhibition covering local history from the Mesolithic period through to its motorsport heroes. The Masonic Hall and Town Clock, dating to 1775, was commissioned by the 6th Earl of Antrim.
Getting There
Ballymoney sits on the A26 and the Belfast-Derry railway line, with its own station, making it easily reached by car or train from Belfast, Coleraine, and Portrush - a practical inland stop if you’re exploring the wider Causeway Coast by public transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ballymoney famous for? Being the hometown of the Dunlop motorcycle racing family, particularly Joey Dunlop, one of the most successful road racers in history.
Where is Ballymoney? In County Antrim, Northern Ireland, inland between Coleraine and Ballymena, close to the Causeway Coast.
Does Ballymoney have a train station? Yes, on the Belfast-Derry line, with services connecting to Coleraine, Portrush, and Belfast.
