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EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern Ireland

Ballykelly

Northern Ireland, United Kingdom · Europe

About Ballykelly

Ballykelly is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Limavady, 34km from Dunluce Castle.

Ballykelly is a town located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. With a population of 1,735, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Ballykelly sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Ballykelly to your route.

About Ballykelly

The Droppin Well bombing or Ballykelly bombing occurred on 6 December 1982, when the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) detonated a time bomb at a disco in Ballykelly, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The disco, known as the Droppin Well, was targeted because it was frequented by British Army

Read more soldiers from nearby Shackleton Barracks. The bomb killed 17 people: eleven soldiers and six civilians, while dozens more were wounded. It was the deadliest attack during the INLA's paramilitary campaign and one of the deadliest bombings of The Troubles.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Ballykelly

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Ballykelly?

Ballykelly offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Ballykelly?

Plan your road trip to Ballykelly with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Ballykelly as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Ballykelly located?

Ballykelly is located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 55.0442 latitude, -7.0186 longitude.

What is the population of Ballykelly?

Ballykelly has a population of approximately 1,735 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
1,735
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Northern Ireland
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
55.0442, -7.0186

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern IrelandTown

Worth the detour from Ballykelly

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

photogenic

Mussenden Temple

Domed 1785 rotunda perched on a 36m cliff edge above the seven-mile strand of Downhill, built by the eccentric Earl-Bishop as a library. Part of the Downhill Demesne ruins; trains pass through the cliff directly beneath it.

19 km · about 20 min drive

landmark

Derry City Walls

The only completely intact walled city in Ireland, a 1.5km 17th-century rampart circling historic Derry.

20 km · about 25 min drive

restaurant

Harry's Shack

Driftwood-styled National Trust beach hut turned serious seafood restaurant on the sand of Portstewart Strand, plating fish from local boats yards from the surf. Open year-round; you can park on the beach itself.

23 km · about 25 min drive

castle

Dunluce Castle

Dramatic ruined medieval castle perched on the edge of a basalt cliff with a cave underneath, partly inspired Castle Greyjoy in Game of Thrones.

34 km · about 40 min drive

landmark

Bushmills Distillery

The world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, producing Irish whiskey since 1608 on the Antrim coast near the Giant's Causeway.

37 km · about 40 min drive

mountain pass

Mamore Gap

Steep, narrow pass climbing to 260m through the Urris Hills of Inishowen, with a holy well and grotto at the summit and a plunging descent to the Atlantic at Urris. Part of the Inishowen 100 drive; low gears essential.

37 km · about 45 min drive

museum

Giant's Causeway Visitor Experience

Award-winning visitor centre interpreting the geology and legends of the Giant's Causeway through immersive exhibitions.

39 km · about 45 min drive

coastal drive

Causeway Coastal Route

Northern Ireland's stunning coastal drive from Belfast to Derry passing the Giant's Causeway and dramatic Antrim cliffs.

39 km · about 45 min drive

Driving roads near Ballykelly

  • 37 kmMamore GapSteep, narrow pass climbing to 260m through the Urris Hills of Inishowen, with a holy well and grotto at the summit and a plunging descent to the Atlantic at Urris. Part of the Inishowen 100 drive; low gears essential.
  • 39 kmCauseway Coastal RouteNorthern Ireland's stunning coastal drive from Belfast to Derry passing the Giant's Causeway and dramatic Antrim cliffs.
  • 42 kmThe Dark HedgesAn eerie tunnel of intertwined beech trees made world-famous as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones.
  • 44 kmMalin HeadThe most northerly point of mainland Ireland, with wild Atlantic vistas and a Star Wars filming location.
  • 62 kmAntrim Coast RoadA breathtaking coastal drive hugging cliffs and beaches from Larne past the Glens of Antrim toward the Causeway.
  • 63 kmTorr Head Scenic RouteWhite-knuckle single-track coastal road off the main Causeway route between Ballycastle and Cushendun, clinging to steep headlands at Torr Head where Scotland's Mull of Kintyre looms just 12 miles across the sea.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

May to September

Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Ballykelly.

Limavady

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

4 km awayPop. 11,279

Eglinton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

11 km awayPop. 3,818

Dungiven

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

14 km awayPop. 3,346

Culmore

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

16 km awayPop. 3,645

Muff

🇮🇪 Ireland

16 km awayPop. 1,226

Moville

🇮🇪 Ireland

16 km awayPop. 1,481

Castlerock

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

19 km awayPop. 1,477

Derry

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

19 km awayPop. 83,652

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence