Market Yard, Market Street, Ballycastle, Co Antrim

The Market Yard, located on Market Street in Ballycastle, Co Antrim, dates primarily from 1858, although Market Street itself was created in 1833. The gateway is constructed of rusticated ashlar sandstone in a neo-classical style, typical of Victorian provincial market yards designed to facilitate marketing and produce sales. Its construction marked the formation of the present market yard, replacing an earlier, simpler market house described in the Ordnance Survey Memoirs.

The gateway is a segmental arch with shaped stones ("voissoirs") and a cornice with a raised platform and stepped blocking piece, appearing similar on both the external and internal sides. A wall of random rubble stone links the arched gateway to a small, double-pile weighbridge office. The street-facing elevation features two random rubble gables, each with a modern window and a chimney stack with a single pot; the elevation facing the market yard is similar without the chimney stack. A single door can be found in the flanking walls, and a connecting door exists in the boundary wall between the weighbridge office and the gateway.

Within the L-shaped market yard stands a large, derelict double lean-to store built of coarse random rubble stone. The larger gable of this store has been altered in recent times with the addition of red brick trimming around several openings. Prominent sandstone quoins are present. A high random rubble stone wall continues along the northern side, returning eastward to meet the gateway and reducing in height. Another narrow lean-to store with a slated roof is attached against this wall.

The market yard has recently been acquired by a developer, with planning consent granted for residential construction within the yard while retaining the character of the boundary walls and gateway. The listed elements consist of the market gateway/arch and the associated flanking walls.