• Address: Castle Hostel 62 Quay Road Ballycastle County Antrim Northern Ireland
• Telephone: (Inside Northern Ireland) 207 62337 or 207 62299, (Outside Northern Ireland) +44 28207 62337 or +44 28207 62299
• Category: Hostel
• Nearest Beach: Ballycastle
• Web details: www.castlehostel.com

The Castle Hostel is warmth, clean and most importantly, very welcoming. Facilities include small dorms, private rooms, free hot showers, two fully equipped kitchens, including ovens and microwaves, free Tea and coffee, common room/TV room, open fire, international telephone service, laundry facilities, no curfew, secure yard for bicycle storage, only fifty metres from one of the cleanest beaches in Ireland and within walking distance to local amenities, the hostel is in a perfect location. The Castle Hostel is well known in backpacking circles for its warmth and friendliness. Many nights are spent round the open fire sharing stories and experiences. It is not unknown for people to come for one night and stay for a week!

On a seriously big swell, the area around Ballycastle is a reef-break heaven, click here for Troggs’ guide to surfing the north coast.