42 Castle Street

40 Castle Street
10th November 2025
44 Castle Street
10th November 2025

42 Castle Street

May 2024

Project Attributes

Project:

Ballycastle Museum

Owner:

Ballycastle Museum

Date:

10th November 2025


Address: 42 Castle Street

Listing: Not listed

Construction date: Before 1838 – building present on Ordnance Survey 1st Edition. Rebuilt after 1928 fire

 

Year Owner/lessee Business name

Building use

Notes

     

No.42 appears to have functioned as a single property until after 1898 when it was subdivided into two properties – here identified as a) and b). Note that there is still only one property identified in the 1901 census, but are two by 1911. The properties were merged again in the years after a fire in March 1928.

1861 Anne Murphy and

Jane McMichael

   

Parish of Ramoan 1861 Valuation of Tenements.

 

1864 Anne Murphy and

Jane McMichael

   

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

1865-1866 Mary Kirkpatrick    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

1867 Alexander Boyd    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

1868-1890 Charles McCloy    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

1891-1896 James McClure    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

1897 John Shaw and David Henry  

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

a) 1898-1900 Andrew Johnston    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

a) 1901 Vacant    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

a) 1902-1907 David Henry    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

a) 1908-1911 Vacant    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

a) 1911 Vacant    

Census – building no.71

a) 1912-1918 Vacant    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

a) 1919-1920 Alexander Steele    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

a) 1921-1924 Samuel Hutchinson    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

a) 1925 John Diamond    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

a) 1926-1928 AH Dickson Dickson Bros. & Co. Drapers

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

a) 1928 Fire    

Ballymoney Free Press and Northern Counties Advertiser (Thursday 01 March 1928)

BIG BLAZE AT BALLYCASTLE. Extensive Drapery Premises Gutted.

A fire occurred about 3-30 p.m. on Wednesday in the extensive premises of Messrs. Dickson Bros. & Co., drapers. Castle Street, Ballycastle.

It appears that the fire originated somewhere in the rere of the premises, and developed so quickly that the place was soon enveloped in flames; in fact, within half-an-hour it was a raging furnace. It being the town half-holiday, the premises were closed. Fortunately the Inhabitants of the house were got out safely. Civilians and police were quickly on the scene, and with the aid of a line of hose did great work. It was early apparent that the premises were doomed and the efforts of the workers were directed towards saving premises next door, occupied by Mr. Carter, and happily they were successful.

A railway porter named Sam Hanley, who was conspicuous for excellent work, together with another man, had a narrow escape from a falling floor. Others worthy of mention for heroic endeavour were Messrs. Peter Dallatt, Wm. Johnstone, and Constable Wright. The Coleraine fire brigade were communicated with and were ready to proceed to Ballymena is case the fire spread.

At a late hour the fire was still smouldering. The amount of the damage is computed to run into thousands, as apart from the saleable value of the property the place was well stocked.

a) 1929-1930 Ruins    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

b) 1898 Vacant    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

b) 1899-1900 Francis McKittrick    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

b) 1901 Isabella Cochrane    

Census – building no. 66

Isabella Cochrane, 56, head of family, COI, retired milliner, married

b) 1901-1902 John Cochrane    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

b) 1903-1906 Archibald McAfee    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

b) 1907 Archibald Coyle or Richard Coyle    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

b) 1908-1911 John McDermott    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

b) 1911 James McMullan    

Census – building no. 70

James McMullan, 65, head of family, Presbyterian, general labourer, married

Sarah Ann McMullan, 67, wife, Presbyterian, married

Jane McMullan, 30, daughter, Presbyterian, dress maker, single

James McMullan, 28, son, Presbyterian, general labourer, single

William McMullan, 20, son, Presbyterian, coachman, single

Annie McMullan, 3, grand daughter, Presbyterian, scholar, single

b) 1912-1918 John McDermott    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

b) 1919-1921 Matilda Sharpe    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

b) 1928 Fire    

See a) above.

1930s? Joseph Starrs Starrs Garage Petrol station and garage

JMcC research.

Robert Starrs (24/10/24) notes that Violet Smith (no. 44) was Joseph’s daughter, and Emily Starrs (no.42) was his daughter-in-law.

1948-2004 Electricity Board Northern Ireland EBNI Stores and garage

JMcC research.

Before 2006 – after 2011     Ballycastle Motorcycles

Working Group review 20/02/24.

 

? – present   MC Carpets and Beds Carpet and furniture store

JMcC research.

 

 

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