On the last Tuesday in August the Ould Lammas Fair is held at Ballycastle, County Antrim.
It is said that a Witch's Sabbath was held at this time in August but the presence of witches at the fair has diminished since it began in the 17th century. The name Lammas originated from the 'Feast of Lughnasadh' or Lugh.
The August festival of pagan times.
Animals and goods are traditionally bought and sold at the fair with traders travelling from near and far for the one day festival.
Sheep, horses, donkeys, dealers. Frantic transactions at the foot of Fairhill.
The fair also includes other attractions such as a fairground and the traditional north Antrim delicacy of Yellowman, a variety of honeycomb and dulse.
Fair events happen around the Diamond with almost 30,000 visitors in Ballycastle.
The folk ballad 'The Ould Lammas Fair in Ballycastle O' written by John H MacAuley helped to make the fair famous for singing, dancing, drinking and dealing.
Today, Ballycastle is loud and cheerful with the music of the loudspeakers and the simple diversion of roundabouts, dodgems, and octopus.
In olden days, the Scots travelled by boat from Islay to the Lammas Fair and to tend to spiritual matters such as having their children confirmed. The Scottish people had a strong connection with Ballycastle.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 August 1963. The reporter is Frank Hall.
