74 Castle Street

Private James Henry: A Voice from the Trenches
11th November 2025
76 Castle Street
12th November 2025

74 Castle Street

November 2024

Project Attributes

Project:

Ballycastle Museum

Owner:

Ballycastle Museum

Date:

12th November 2025


Address: 74 Castle Street

Listing: not listed

Construction date: 1820-1839 (Historic Buildings Record HB05/13/017)

 

Year Owner/lessee Business name Building use

Notes

1834 James Kirkpatrick    

The original form of the building seems to have been present by 1834. However, the steep pitch of roof may suggest it predates its neighbours, (HB05/13/017).

Brett’s Historic Buildings Groups of Buildings Areas of Architectural Importance in the Glens of Antrim (1971) p.49, notes the building was “built by Charles Gray 1740” but this is unconfirmed.

PRONI VAL/1B/135

1861 John White and Hugh White   Grocer, iron monger, hardware, stamp distributors.

Griffith’s Valuation.

1864 John White and Hugh White    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

1865-1901 Alex McAlister    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

1901 Alexander McAlister  

Census – building no.84

Alexander McAlister, 69, head of family, Presbyterian, seed merchant, widower

Mary McAlister, 35, daughter, Presbyterian, not married

Mary Ann McNeill, 24 servant, RC, general servant domestic, not married

1902-1911 Alex McAlister    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

1911 Alex McAlister   Grocery

Census – building no.88

Alexander McAlister, 79, head of family, Presbyterian, merchant, widower

Mary McAlister, 45, daughter, Presbyterian, shop assistant, single

James Taylor, 19, servant, COI, shop assistant grocer, single

Albert Smith McVicker, 14, servant, Presbyterian, apprentice grocer, single

1912-1913 Alex McAlister    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

1914-1928 Hugh McAlister    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

1928-? Alex McAlister    

SMcM research based on Griffith’s Valuation registers.

  Mr Collins   Grocery

JMcC research.

1950s-1970s Fred Buick Buick’s Bakery Bakery and grocery

JMcC research.

Kevin McAfee (10/12/24).

1970s– mid-1990s Jim Harkness Harkness’ Bakery Bakery

SMcM research.

Working Group review (10/04/25) confirmed that Jim Harkness sub-divided the property with a bakery on the left, and the café on the right as you entered the building.

1970s– mid-1990s Jim Harkness The Open Door Cafe

JMcC research.

2000   Flash in the Pan Fast food shop

HB05/13/017.

Fiona Spence (12/02/25).

2019   Good Season Chinese take away

JMcC research.

2021 – present   New Canton House

Ballycastle Turkish Barber

Chinese takeaway

Barber

The property has been subdivided into an upstairs flat and two ground floor shops since at least 2021.

 

 

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