13. King of Ballycastle

12. Gortnamoyagh Inauguration Stone
7th March 2023
14. King’s Fort
7th March 2023

13. King of Ballycastle

Project Attributes

Project:

Royal Connections

Owner:

CCGBC Museum Services

Date:

7th March 2023


Until 1971, a mysterious statue group stood overlooking the tennis courts in Ballycastle. The statues were said to have been brought to Ireland from India and, according to local legend, depicted either river gods or, more commonly, a group of devils.

Now housed in Ballycastle Museum, recent research suggests that the statues date to the 2nd-1st century BC, much older than previously thought. Rather than devils, the statuary probably show an armoured Greek king or god and two female figures (perhaps nymphs); a legacy of the campaigns of Alexander the Great, long before the British domination of India.

 

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This project is receiving financial support via the District Council Good Relations Programme.