There are a number of things we can we say about the ‘Lady of Ballycastle’. For starters, there were probably two ladies originally – one on either side of the central armoured figure we are calling the ‘King’. Looking at the statues from the front, the lady on the left has been mostly lost – all we have of her in the collection is a set of draped hips (fragment 7). We have far more of the lady to the right of the King (fragments 4, 5 and 6), and she is a really interesting figure.

Leaning on her right side and gazing adoringly to her right (at the King), the Lady’s head, torso, hips and right leg are all complete. The left leg and both arms are missing, although we still have her right hand, grasping what might be clothing and/or an animal skin around her waist. She is otherwise naked, with a rather strange hairstyle or headdress and a single long plait of hair running down her back. The less said about her feet, the better… Suffice to say, she may not be a ‘Lady’ in the conventional sense at all.

We can’t say too much about her while our research is ongoing, but she’s caused quite a stir so far. She’s not what you’d call a classic beauty, but we love her all the same!

If you have any memories about the Lady of Ballycastle, or her companions, we’d love to hear from you at cms@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk!

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For more information on the project, contact Museum Services at cms@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk